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Jewish Fairy Tales 
and Fables 


By AUNT 


NAOMI 


ILLUSTRATED 

E. STRELLETT AND J. MARKS 



BLOCH PUBLISHING COMPANY 
NEW YORK 






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S)e^)fcatiotu 


TO MY LITTLE DAUGHTER, 
RUTH. 


Preface 



|LL the peoples of the world have 
their fairy tales and fables, their 
legends and their folk-lore, but 
perhaps no literature is richer in 
this respect than that of the Jews. Hebrew 
lore has, indeed, been a source of inspiration 
to the writers of many lands for ages, and yet 
Jewish children of to-day have very little oppor- 
tunity to read the beautiful stories to be found 
in the Talmud and the Midrash, those vast 
treasuries of Hebrew learning. 

It is in the hope of meeting this want that 
I have written these fairy tales and fables. 
Mostly they are based on parables of the Tal- 
mud and the Midrash, and these, although 
they have been entirely re-written in a manner 
best suited for children, have been treated 


10 


PREFACE 


with the greatest possible respect. The central 
allegory of each story has been left unsullied 
to convey the beautiful moral as intended by 
the great Rabbis who originally invented them 
for the interest of their pupils. 

A few of the stories are almost entirely 
original, chiefly The Ragged Pedlar,” which 
is inspired by an old Rabbinic saying, and 
'' The Enchanted Donkey ” and ‘‘ Honeim's 
Magic Shoes,” which are based on Oriental 
legends. 


AUNT NAOMI. 


Content? 


PAGE 


The Slave who Became a King ... 15 

How Reynard Fooled Bruin .... 31 

The Ragged Pedlar 39 

The Enchanted Donkey 49 

The Greedy Fox 61 

The Man who was a Hundred Years Young . 65 

The King, the Queen and the Bee ^ . *73 

Honeim’s Magic Shoes 85 

Saved by a Rose loi 

The Fool of Athina 109 

Sly Fox and Sly Fish 123 

The Princess and the Rabbi . . . -131 

Yussuf’s Three Punishments . . . *147 

King Tongue 157 

u 


Illustrations 


PAGE 

''May it please Your Majesty/^ he said, "here is 

vour royal crown ” 21 

"The basket began to roll over and over along 

the rope” 45 

"Pinkus was thrown from the donkey's back 

on the top of the tower” • • • • 57 

"This is no longer a garden, this is a wilderness,” 

exclaimed the King 105 

" Bow your heads,” said the Princess, " to this 
man of learning and wisdom, for he has taught 
me a lesson I shall never forget ” . . 143 


13 


THE SLAVE WHO BECAME A 
KING. 




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The Slave who became a 
King 

DAM was the name of a slave whose 
master was one of the kindest that 
ever lived. He was very anxious 
to make his slave happy. 

Adam/' he said, one day, although thou 
art a slave, and it rests with me to do with thee 
what I will, I never forget that thou art a man, 
made in the same likeness as I, thy master. 
Has it ever occurred to thee that thou art a 
man, an ordinary man, apart from being a 
slave ? " , 

u 



i6 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

The slave merely bowed. 

‘‘ I intend to give thee thy freedom/’ said 
his master, that thou mayest be a true man.” 

It is for thee to do with me as thou wilt,” 
replied Adam. If it so seems to thee that I 
shall be a true man by my freedom, then shall 
I be pleased to receive it from thee. Thy will 
is mine.” 

Nay, not so,” answered his master kindly. 

It is my desire that thou shouldst use thy will 
and thy judgment as thy own. I give thee thy 
freedom to make the best use of it. But I will 
give thee more than freedom. Thou shalt have 
riches. I will give thee a shipload of varied 
merchandise. Sail with it to different lands, 
dispose it well, and what thou receivest in pay- 
ment shall be thine to enjoy as thou thinkest 
fit. It will rest entirely with thee to make thy 
journeys profitable. Fare thee well.” 

‘‘ I thank thee, noble master,” replied the 
slave reverently. '' It shall indeed be my aim 
to prove that I am a man fashioned in the like- 
ness of my master.” 

The ship which his master gave him was 
stored with goods of every description, and as 
Adam stood on the deck waving farewell to his 
master, he felt happy. Yet there was a touch 
of sadness in his joy, for he realized that his 


THE SLAVE WHO BECAME A KING 17 

wealth brought great responsibihties with it, 
and that to dispose of his wares successfully and 
to the best advantage, he would have to be 
careful. 

For two or three days aU went well, and his 
ship sailed gallantly before a favourable breeze. 
But then a mighty storm arose. Dark masses 
of cloud hid the bright heavens, the wind in 
great fury lashed the waters into foam, the 
sails were ripped from the masts, and the vessel 
was borne rapidly along, helpless in the gale. 

Adam himself took the rudder of the ship, 
but he felt that some mightier power than his 
own was directing the vessel. The ship gave a 
great lurch and the rudder was wrenched from 
his grasp. In a vivid flash of hghtning he 
saw that the vessel was being driven straight 
against a huge rock. A terrific crash of 
thunder followed ; it seemed to make the 
ship quiver from stem to stern. Some of 
the crew were on their knees, praying, others 
had been swept overboard, and Adam stood 
alone, with folded arms, on the deck of his 
vessel, trying to pierce the blackness into which 
he was being whirled by the gale. 

‘‘ So, this it is to be free,'' he said. 

Hardly had he spoken when there was a 
fearful crash, followed by screams from the crew. 

B 


i8 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

The vessel had dashed against the rock. It 
was smashed up as if it were a mere toy struck 
by the club of a terrible giant. Adam was 
flung amid a heap of wreckage into the sea* 
He caught hold of a fragment of wood and was 
carried with it against the rock. With great 
deftness, he clasped a projecting spur and drew 
himself upon it. There he sat, crouched 
against the rock until the storm abated. The 
thunder roUed away in fitful rumbhng, the 
lightning ceased, and the wind abated as if it 
were tired after its frenzy. Once again the 
sun pierced the clouds, and Adam looked about 
him. 

Not a sign of his ship could he see. One or 
two spars floated about, but the vessel with its 
precious cargo and every one of the crew had 
foundered. Dropping his head on his hands, 
Adam wept hke a child. 

‘‘ This it is to be free,*’ he cried bitterly. 

But after a while, he felt ashamed of himself. 

** What would my old master say if he saw 
me weeping thus ? ” he said to himself. ‘‘ This 
is not making the best use of my freedom.” 

He roused himself and looked about him. 
The tide was receding from the rock, and be- 
low him was a stretch of sand. He walked 
along the shore for some miles, but no sign of 


THE SLAVE WHO BECAME A KING 19 

life could he see. Not a ship was visible on 
the water, not even a spar of wood from his 
wrecked vessel now appeared. 

All, all lost,'' said Adam, the tears starting 
to his eyes afresh. ‘‘ But I am a man. I must 
not despair." 

He left the shore, scaled some low rocks and 
struck inland. The land was like a vast desert, 
and he did not know where to go. He wandered 
aimlessly about for a while, until at last he 
saw what appeared to be trees in the distance. 
Weary as he was with suffering and with hunger, 
he hastened forward and soon came in sight 
of a beautiful city. As he approached, he saw 
people coming towards him. 

‘‘ I must needs ask them to befriend me," 
he said sadly. Perchance I shall have to 
become a slave again. That would be worse 
than the shipwreck." 

He could not quite understand why he 
should now love his freedom, although it had 
only brought him misfortune and sorrow. 

As the people drew near, he saw that they 
were well dressed and that they had a beautiful 
carriage, drawn by gaily caparisoned horses. 

“ Long live the King," they shouted. 

Adam, however, could not see the King. 
There were numerous attendants in rich attire 


20 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

about the carriage, but it was empty. He 
stood still in surprise. 

** I must wait until His Majesty passes, he 
said. 

To his great astonishment, however, the 
richly attired attendants came and bowed 
before him, and all the people cried, ‘‘ Welcome, 
welcome ! Long hve the King ! ” 

The chief attendant, an old man, with a 
flowing white beard, and priestly raiment, 
bore a crown of gold on a crimson cushion. 

He approached Adam, bowing low. 

May it please Your Majesty,'’ he said, 

here is your royal crown," and all the people 
cried Hurrah ! Long hve the King ! " 

I — I do not understand," said Adam. 

I think, good people, you have made a mis- 
take. I am but a poor shipwrecked merchant 
who was but a few days ago a slave. My kind 
master freed me and gave me wealth, but 
I have been wrecked on your shore and am a 
beggar." 

‘‘ Long live the King ! " cried the people 
again. 

'‘Welcome, Your Majesty," said the priest. 
"Will it please Your Majesty to enter your 
royal carriage ? " 

Like one dazed. Adam entered the carriage, 



“‘May it please Your Majesty,’ he said, ‘here is your royal 

crown “ 

ts 



JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

the crown was placed upon his head, and, 
accompanied by a cheering crowd, he was con- 
ducted into the city. All the streets were gaily 
decorated, and the populace cheered and 
cheered again. Across a beautiful square the 
carriage was led to the gates of a magnificent 
marble palace. When Adam alighted, a flag 
was unfurled on the highest tower of the palace, 
gaily dressed trumpeters with golden trumpets 
blew a triumphant blast, and the cheering of 
the people grew to a roar that made Adam 
think of the thunder in the storm. He was 
conducted to a chamber where many servants 
gathered about him and dressed him in royal 
garments. 

What is Your Majesty’s pleasure ? ” asked 
the aged priest, conducting Adam to a spacious 
chamber at the end of which was the Throne. 

‘‘ I am faint with hunger,” he replied. ‘‘ I 
would have food.” 

Immediately he was conducted into another 
magnificent apartment where a banquet was 
prepared. Adam quickly appeased his hunger, 
and then looked about him. 

” Surely this is a dream,” he said. 

It was real enough, however. Attendants stood 
beside him to obey his slightest command, the 
sound of beautiful music, from an adjoining 


THE SLAVE WHO BECAME A KING 23 

chamber, came to his ears, and through the 
windows of the palace he could see the beautiful 
city. The sun was setting, and everywhere 
hundreds of coloured lights appeared. They 
were the illuminations in honour of the coming 
of the King. 

Truly am I a fortunate slave,*’ said Adam to 
himself. 

He stood up, and immediately silence fell 
upon the throng of courtiers and attendants 
in the banqueting chamber. 

‘‘ Gentlemen,” said Adam. ** Whatever this 
is, a reality or a dream, I know not. I fain 
would know. But first, ere either the dream or 
the reality ceases, I would thank you for your 
great kindness. And now, I pray you, tell me 
the meaning of this, for truly my head is in a 
whirl, and I understand it not.” 

Long live the King ! ” shouted the courtiers 
and attendants, and the crowds outside took it 
up, and away rolled the cry from street to street 
until it died into an indistinct murmur in the 
distance. 

The priest rose at the other end of the 
table. 

Your Majesty,” he said, the time has 
come when you should know what it is that has 
befallen thee.” 


24 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

Proceed/* said Adam, re-seating himself. 
I am eager to hear.** 

'' Know then/* said the priest, that this 
land is an island, peopled not by mortals, but 
by spirits and fairies. Long years ago we 
prayed to God to send us a mortal to reign over 
us, and our prayers were answered.** 

Am I that fortunate mortal ? ** asked Adam 
eagerly. 

Listen, Your Majesty, I beseech you,** 
said the priest gravely. Your Majesty is 
not the first king of this spirit island. Our 
kings reign but one year.** 

I understand not,** said Adam, looking 
around in great fear. 

Your Majesty need have no fear,** said the 
priest, noticing this. ''You shall be treated 
as our King — and we know our duty, and how to 
love and honour our King — for one whole year/* 
" And what will happen then ? ** asked Adam. 
" One year from to-day,** answered the 
priest, " Your Majesty*s royal vestments will 
be removed. The crown will be taken from 
you, and you will be placed on board a ship 
and taken away to a vast desert island, and a 
new king will be sent us to reign in your stead.’* 
" This is very strange,** said Adam. "For 
one whole year I shall be the happiest mortal 


THE SLAVE WHO BECAME A KING 25 

in the whole world, and then, perchance, the 
most miserable for the rest of my life/* 

'' That, Your Majesty,*’ said the priest 
solemnly, rests with you alone.** 

How so ? ** asked the King. 

All the kings who have reigned over us 
before thee, gracious sire,** returned the priest, 
have been careless, thriftless, thoughtless and 
pleasure-loving. They have thought only of 
their year of regal power and have made no 
preparation for the desert island that is to 
follow. And when the day of their dethrone- 
ment has come, they have been taken by surprise 
for the length of our years vary, and we know 
not to-day what will be the length of this new 
year. That is for the astronomers to decide 
by the stars.** 

The King sat thoughtful for a while. He 
recalled his former master’s words and deter- 
mined to use well his judgment. 

'' I thank thee, noble priest,” he said at 
last. I will ponder well thy words and seek 
thy advice. But tell me now the name of my 
island kingdom.” 

That, Your Majesty,” was the answer, 
** may you not know until the day of your 
departure.” 

Adam found that he had many duties to 


26 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

perform as King, but he did everything wisely 
and acted always in the best interests of his 
people, so that they quickly grew to love him. 
The old priest was ever at his side to advise, 
and one day he told him how to prepare for the 
dread day of his dethronement. 

Thou art King and thy commands must be 
obeyed,*' he said. '' Send, therefore, to the 
desert island men who will till the ground, 
plant corn and fruits and build houses, so that 
the land may be made habitable and beautiful. 
Establish there a new kingdom where thou 
wilt be received as here." 

It is, indeed, excellent advice," replied 
the King. “ And to make sure of the work 
being successful, I will myself journey thither 
and superintend aU the work." 

That may not be," hastily replied the priest. 

Our King may not leave our island. His 
duty is with us, and he must stay here. But 
Your Majesty has only to remember that you 
are King. Your commands must be obeyed, 
and you can choose the best work-people to 
carry them out." 

'' Truly, it is so," said the King. 

At once he sent to the island the very best 
workmen he could obtain, and he knew that 
they carried out his commands faithfully. 


THE SLAVE WHO BECAME A KING 27 

Before the year was ended, he knew that the 
island was no longer barren, and that he would 
be welcomed to a fruitful and flourishing land 
which had ceased to be a desert. So, while he 
lived in happiness among his spirit subjects, 
he looked forward with joy to the day when 
he should leave them and enter into his own 
kingdom. 

The day came at last. The crown was taken 
from him, the royal robes were removed and 
Adam was clad in the rags in which he had 
made his entry into the island. The streets of 
the city were draped in black, the people were 
all in tears, and a band, playing doleful music, 
marched at the head of the procession to the 
desolate sea-shore where Adam had been saved 
from the wreck. Adam was in tears. He was 
loth to leave this beautiful island where for a 
year, among his faithful spirit subjects, he had 
been a King and happy, but as he thought 
of the new land to which he was going, his 
heart beat with joy and he smiled through 
his tears. 

'' Weep not, my good people ” he said to the 
crowd that gathered about his carriage, which 
was draped in black ; you will have another 
ruler. Be faithful to him, and he will be 
truly a King to you. Forget not me, if you 


28 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


think I have deserved to live in your memory, 
and weep not for me. My future happiness is 
assured. I go to a new island, there to reign 
as long as I live.’' 

As he stepped on board the vessel which 
was to bear him away, he said to the aged 
priest — 

Tell me now, I pray you, the name of the 
kingdom over which I have ruled for the length 
of a spirit year.” 

‘‘ Its name,” replied the priest, is Nefesh — 
it is the Island of Life.” 

And the name of the land to which I go ? ” 

That, sire, depends on thee — on what 
have been thy commands as to its cultivation. 
If the land has been well prepared, as I believe, 
under thy instruction, it has, then its name 
shall be Olom — it will be the Island of Eternity.” 

“ Fare ye well,” cried Adam, waving his hand 
as the vessel moved off, I go to happiness and 
peace in my kingdom of Olom.” 



HOW REYNARD FOOLED BRUIN 



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How Reynard Fooled Bruin 


E day a hungry fox met a hungry 
bear. They were not friends, and 
the fox tried to slink away. But 

the bear stopped him. 

Don't run from me, my good friend," he 
said. I see that you are looking for your 

dinner. So am I. Let us search together." 

The fox did not like this proposal at all, for 
when they hunted together before. Bruin had 
taken more than his share. But Reynard was 
too cunning to say '' No " and incur the bear's 
anger, so he pretended to agree. His quick 
brain, however, was making up a plan to outwit 
Bruin. 

** Certainly let us go together," said sly fox. 



32 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


I was just thinking of teUing you that I know 
where there is an excellent big pudding. It is 
in a Jew's house. To-day is Friday, and the 
Jews always make a fine tasty pudding for the 
Sabbath." 

Splendid," said the bear, smacking his lips. 
" I have heard that the Jews make delicious Sab- 
bath puddings, and I have never tasted one." 

Arm in arm they set off and soon reached a 
large house where a Jew dwelt. 

We must be cautious," said the fox. " Fol- 
low me quietly round to the back. The pudding 
is in the kitchen. We can enter and enjoy 
ourselves." 

Reynard found the kitchen door slightly ajar, 
and he quickly slipped in and rattled a plate 
on the floor. 

Wait for me," cried Bruin, hearing the 
noise. ‘‘ Don't eat it all." 

In his haste he did not notice that the kitchen 
door was narrow, and he got stuck in it. 

Oh," he cried in pain, and Reynard quickly 
jumped out through the open window, purposely 
upsetting a lot of plates to make a loud noise. 
The people of the house heard this, and they 
rushed into the kitchen. Bruin was still fast in 
the doorway, so they took sticks and gave him 
a good beating before he could extricate himself 


HOW REYNARD FOOLED BRUIN 33 

and shamble off as fast as his bruises, which 
pained him badly, would allow him. 

Next day the fox and the bear met again, 
and the latter said — 

You served me a shabby trick yesterday. 
You had the Sabbath pudding all to yourself, 
while I got a good beating. I shall tear you to 
pieces.” 

For a few minutes the fox was greatly fright- 
ened, but a plan quickly formed in his mind to 
get the better of Bruin again. 

“ We have always been friends,” he said, '' so 
why should you kill me now ? Have I not often 
found you food ? I had no Sabbath pudding 
yesterday. I fell over some plates which made 
a noise and brought the people. I had no time 
to get anything. True, I was not beaten, but 
I might have been caught, and I was left as 
hungry as yourself.” 

I am still hungry,” answered Bruin. I 
will spare your life on one condition. Find me 
a good dinner. I have a liking for cheese. If 
you provide me with a good dinner of cheese, 
I will not kill you.” 

Agreed,” cried the fox, but we must wait 
until it is dark. We cannot take any further 
risks in the daytime.” 

Bruin demurred at first, but he saw that 


0 


34 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


Reynard's proposal was only reasonable, so he 
watched over the fox to see that he should not 
shp away before night came. As soon as it 
was dark and the moon shone brightly in the 
sky, Reynard led the way to a well. 

“ See," he said, pointing to the reflection of 
the moon in the water, is not that a fine 
cheese ? " 

'Ht is," replied Bruin, looking at it with 
hungry eyes, but how am I to get down to 
it ? " 

'' Here are two buckets fastened by a rope 
like a balance over the top," said the fox ; 
‘‘ get into one and I will lower you down." 

‘'No, thank you, my fine friend," said Bruin, 
shaking his head. “ I am not going to let you 
fool me again. You must go down first." 

“ I have no objection to that at all," returned 
Reynard ; then he added slily : “ But I may 
eat all the cheese." 

“ That would not do," said the bear, begin- 
ning to get angry ; ''we must go down both 
together. Then I can take care that you play 
me no tricks. If I go down alone, I might not 
be able to get back." 

“ Very well," said the fox, “ I am anxious 
to prove to you that I am your friend, so I 
agree that we should go down together. These 


HOW REYNARD FOOLED BRUIN 35 

buckets work like a balance, and as I am 
not as heavy as you, I must take a big 
stone/’ 

They found a big stone and put it into one 
of the buckets, while Bruin held the other to 
prevent it from going down. Then the fox 
got into the bucket with the stone and the bear 
into the other. 

** We are just evenly balanced,” said the fox, 
laughing. ‘'J^st fancy I am as heavy as you, 
and we can both go down for the cheese together. 
What fools men are. They thought that by 
hiding the cheese down there, I should not 
know how to get it. Ha, ha ! ” 

Oh, do hurry up,” said the bear, Fm get- 
ting hungrier every minute.” 

Hurry down, you mean,” said the fox, laugh- 
ing still more loudly. 

As he spoke, he dropped the stone from his 
bucket into the well. That made his bucket 
lighter, and Bruin being heavier went down 
into the well while the bucket with the fox 
went up. 

I hope you have got the cheese,” cried the 
fox down the well. 

Help, help, or I shall drown,” shouted 
Bruin. '' There is no cheese here. It ’s water.” 

Well, drink it up so that it should not 


36 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


drown you/' the fox called back. ** Night- 
night. I really can’t stay. I must go and 
find some supper.” 

So Bruin was not only fooled but drowned. 


THE RAGGED PEDLAR 



The Ragged Pedlar 

the foot of a big, bleak mountain 
stood a small town in which all the 
people were grumblers. They were 
never satisfied with anything, and 
they were always unhappy. 

Ours is only a very small town,’^ said the 
tradesmen. Visitors never come to us, mer- 
chants never tarry with their caravans.’’ 

We have no beautiful buildings, no fine 
squares and streets,” said others, '' and the 
mountain which frowns on us is bare of vegeta- 
tion and always looks gloomy and even threaten- 
ing.” 

'' We have no rich inhabitants,” said those 
who were lazy. We have all to work, work, 
work continually for a bare subsistence.” 



40 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


Even the children were discontented, and 
lay idly on the ground at the street corners 
when the day was hot. Nobody seemed to 
notice that the fields at the foot of the mountain 
were bright and fresh and beautifully green for 
several months in the year, and that when the 
snow covered the mountain it glistened and 
shone dazzlingly white in the sunshine and 
glowed rosy pink in the sunset. 

It was true that nothing seemed to happen 
in the town, but if there were no wealthy dwellers, 
there were also very few poor people. Nobody 
had much to give away, and so everybody was 
compelled to work to earn their living. But 
people who grumble do not notice these things. 

One day when the weather had been very 
hot and the people lazier than ever, a strange 
visitor came into the town just before the sun 
began to set. The heat was passing, a little 
breeze was beginning to spring up, and even 
the barren mountain began to look a little 
beautiful under the rosy glow of the sky. Some 
of the huge frowning boulders and great stones 
began to reflect the setting sun until they shone 
like gold. 

Perhaps the strange visitor noticed this, if 
the inhabitants did not, and he called out, in 
a loud, musical voice — 


THE RAGGED PEDLAR 


41 


Come hither, ye dwellers of this beautiful 
city of the setting sun. Yon mountain shines 
like burnished gold, your hundreds of roofs and 
minarets and domes and spires reflect the rosy 
hue of the sky. Yet ye are not happy. Come 
to me and I will sell you happiness.'^ 

The people all laughed lou^y. 

What manner of fool are you ? ’’ they said 
to the visitor, '' and where did you get those 
strange clothes ? ” 

Yes, and what did you pay for them ? ’’ 
asked the children. 

I paid naught for this magnificent travelling 
outfit,’' replied the stranger. 

Everybody roared with laughter when he 
said this, because the man was dressed in rags 1 
Except for a huge basket slung from his shoulders 
and a long rope wound round his body, he wore 
almost nothing. The rest was made up of a 
few patches of different colours. In his quaint 
cap were many holes through which his un- 
kempt hair wound itself in fantastic fashion. 

'' It must take you an hour to remove your 
hat,” said one. 

'' Oh, no,” answered the pedlar, and he took 
it off with a graceful flourish and put it back 
again, and every hair found its way through its 
old hole as if by magic I 


42 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

Thou art no ordinary pedlar, sir stranger,** 
said Ahmed, the fishmonger, to him. 

Have I not said so ? ** replied the pedlar. 

I sell happiness.** 

** If thou but sellest cheaply,** returned Ahmed, 
** thou shouldst do well here. Set down thy 
basket.** 

The big basket jumped from the man*s 
shoulders by itself and stood itself upside down 
in the midst of the crowd that had gathered. 
The people stared in great wonderment. 

** There can be nothing in it,** they said. 

Immediately the basket of its own accord 
turned a somersault and stood the other way 
up. It was empty. 

** The man must be mad,** cried Ahmed. 

And the basket bewitched,** added Mus- 
tapha Ben, the tailor. 

The pedlar said nothing, but handed the end 
of the rope which was round his waist to one 
of the children. The child took it and began 
to pull. The pedlar spun round and round hke 
a top until the people could hardly see him, and 
the rope that unwound itself seemed endless. 
It lay coil upon coil upon the ground until it 
made a pile as high as the basket. Then the 
man stopped spinning. He took one end of 
the rope and threw it up in the air. Away it 


THE RAGGED PEDLAR 


43 


spun, uncoiling itself right to the other end of 
the street where it caught itself neatly on a 
post. There was a post a few yards away from 
where the pedlar was standing, and he threw 
the loose end of the rope towards that. Again 
it caught, and the people then noticed that the 
rope was just the length of the distance between 
the two posts. 

** A funny performance,*’ they all said. 

What does it mean, sir pedlar ? ” 

** My store is open ; I am ready to begin 
business,” he replied. 

” But where are your wares ? ” 

” You will supply those,” was the answer, as 
the man took up his basket. 

” Now then,” he cried, ” all you who are 
unhappy bring here your miseries, your discon- 
tentments. I will exchange them for happi- 
ness.” 

Everybody found that they could each bring 
their unhappiness and they rushed forward 
eagerly to put it into the basket. Soon it 
seemed quite full, but there was always room 
for one thing more. There was not a man or 
woman in the town that did not bring something. 
Even many of the children had something to put 
into the basket. 

** Observe now,” said the pedlar, and he took 


44 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

the basket and lifted it on to the rope. It 
stood there, balancing itself like a tight-rope 
walker. 

“ Do your duty,” commanded the pedlar, 
and the basket began to roll over and over 
along the rope. All along it tumbled merrily, 
dropping the troubles as it went until every one 
of them hung nicely across the rope. There 
was Ahmed’s rheumatic leg, Mustapha Ben’s 
red hair, an old woman’s aching tooth, Granny 
Yochki’s crutch, Suliman’s empty pockets, and 
lots of other queer things. Every cause of un- 
happiness and discontent in the town was hung 
upon the line. 

” Harken now unto me, ye good people of 
the city of the setting sun,” cried the pedlar, 
in his loud musical voice. The day is waning 
fast, and I cannot stay with you. I promised 
to barter all your miseries for happiness. It 
is a simple task. Take each of you from the 
line the smallest trouble that you can see.” 

At once there was a big rush forward and a 
general scramble to snatch the smallest thing 
from the line. Everybody, to their surprise, 
found that their own trouble was the smallest, 
and that the troubles of other people were 
bigger. In a few seconds the line was quite 
empty. 



“ The basket begau to roll over and over along the rope,’ 





46 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

Have each of you taken the smallest 
trouble ? ** asked the pedlar. 

‘‘ Yes/* answered Mustapha Ben, fixing on 
his red hair again and feeling more comfortable 
than without it. 

‘‘Yes,** cried the others in chorus. 

“ Then rest ye content, good people of the 
city of the setting sun,** answered the pedlar, 
in his strong musical voice. “ come, my 
faithful basket and rope,** and the basket 
jumped on to his shoulder and the rope wound 
itself rapidly round his body. 

“ Farewell, be contented,** he sang out in a 
cheerful voice, and the people saw him ascend 
the barren mountain still glowing like gold in the 
setting sun. When he got to the top, he waved 
his hand and disappeared. 

And ever after the people were happy. 


THE ENCHANTED DONKEY 


i 




* 










The Enchanted Donkey 

US was a Jewish servant, and 
; master always called him a fool, 
her people called him donkey, 
», mule, and various uncompli- 
mentary names. Pinkus was always frightened 
to go out in the dark. 

‘^Witches and magicians are about at night,’’ 
he said, '' and they will do something to 
me. 

** Perhaps they will give you brains,” said 
his master sarcastically to him once. 

** No, no,” replied Pinkus ; I would rather 
stay indoors at night and remain a fool.” 

One day, however, his master told him that 
he would have to go out that night. 

49 



D 


50 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

A special service is to be held in the syna- 
gogue between midnight and dawn/' he ex- 
plained, '' and I want you to go and waken 
the people to attend. The beadle is a very 
old man, and he is ill. So you must do 
it." 

Pinkus was very frightened, and he began 
to cry. 

I — I can't go out in the middle of the 
night when the sun is in bed fast asleep," he 
whimpered. ** The witches will catch me ; 
they will beat me with their brooms, or perhaps 
they will kiU me and eat me, or change me 
into an animal." 

Do try and not be a fool for once," said 
his master. ‘‘You must do as I tell you. 
The witches cannot change you into a donkey 
at least. Have I not told you that you are 
that already ? " 

Poor Pinkus did not laugh. He felt very 
miserable for the rest of the day, and when 
night came he did not go to bed at all for a 
few hours' sleep. When it was midnight he 
opened the door of the house cautiously and 
peeped out into the street. Not a sound could 
he hear, not a soul could he see. He stood 
trembling for awhile at the door, then he 
stepped out. 


THE ENCHANTED DONKEY 51 

The street was quite deserted, and it was 
not dark at all. A beautiful full moon shone 
in the sky, and the air was deliciously cool. 

** The town looks very strange,” said Pinkus, 
'' without the crowds and the dust. It is nicer 
now than when the hot sun shines.” 

He walked with great caution at first, keeping 
close to the houses like a cat does. Then he 
began to laugh at his own fears. 

‘‘ Perhaps it is all nonsense about witches 
and magicians and demons being out at night,” 
he said to himself, speaking aloud. 

** Take care,” said a voice behind him. 

Pinkus turned round with a jump, feeling 
very frightened. He could see nobody. The 
street was still quite deserted. 

'' What — who are you, or is it anybody at 
all ? ” he whispered, trembling all over. 

There was no answer, and when his knees 
had stopped knocking together and his teeth 
gave over chattering, Pinkus said : "It was 
only my fancy, I suppose.” 

"No, it was not,” said the mysterious voice 
again. 

Pinkus screamed with fear this time, then gave 
a big jump in the air. But whichever way he 
looked he could see nothing. 

" A witch, a tribe of demons, a congregation 


52 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

of magicians, I am sure of it,” he said. I 
must be bewitched already. Oh, let me look 
at myself to see if I am Pinkus, a man, or a 
monkey, or a fish, or a mule.” 

In his terror, he turned back to run home. 
He had only taken a few strides, however, 
when he stumbled across something that lay 
in the street. Before he could scramble to 
his feet, the thing rose with him. It was a 
donkey, and Pinkus found himself clinging to 
its back. 

“ Stop pulling my hair,” cried the donkey, 
shooting out its hind legs and making Pinkus 
feel very uncomfortable. 

He was too frightened to speak for a few 
minutes. Then he said — 

Oh, kind donkey, gracious Mr. Mule, please 
tell me what has happened. I think it was 
your voice that I heard. Are you a magician, 
and am I bewitched ? Who are you, am I you, 
or are you me, are we one another, or what is 
it ?” 

'' It's a fool on my back,” replied the donkey. 
'' Pm not here to answer silly riddles. I know 
I am a donkey, but I did not think you were 
one also.” 

‘‘ A donkey,” screamed poor Pinkus. Pm 
an ass ! A four-legged unclean beast. I know 


THE ENCHANTED DONKEY >3 

it. I knew I should be changed into something. 
Oh, what shall I do ? I cannot go back to my 
master. He will put me into a stable and make 
me eat thistles.'' 

If you are a donkey, it's your own fault," 
said the ass, prancing about and making Pinkus 
cling all the closer. ''You are a man right 
enough, even if you are a fool, and ought really 
to have four legs and long ears like me. How 
many feet and hands have you got ? " 

" Two of each kind," answered Pinkus 
tearfully, after examining them several times. 

" Then you ought to be thankful," said the 
donkey. " And listen to me — if you want to 
behave like a gentleman and keep yourself out 
of trouble, you won't call me an unclean beast 
again. I don't like it, and I won't have 
it." 

" I shall be very good, O most learned and 
gracious Mr. Donkey," returned Pinkus. " Please 
let me get off your back and go home." 

" No," said the animal, beginning to kick 
again, " I shan't let you get off my back. I 
won't let you go home. You are a lazy good- 
for-nothing. Have you forgotten what you 
have to do ? I have not, and I am here to help 
you. Sit up straight and don't pinch. It 
annoys me. I will take you allround the town, 


54 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


so that you can waken the Jews and call them 
to the synagogue. But you must not talk, or 
ask questions. If you do, something serious 
might happen to you.’’ 

'' Oh, woe unto me,” Pinkus began to cry. 

** Do stop that ridiculous noise,” said the ass, 
beginning to dance again. It annoys me. 
My ears are not used to such awful sounds. 
My throat hurts me already from talking to 
you, and I must be careful with it. I have to 
sing a sentimental song at a fairies’ concert 
to-morrow night.” 

** Fairies, demons, witches ! Oh, woe unto 
me,” cried Pinkus again. 

** Stop ! ” cried the donkey in a rage. If 
you go on like that, you will make me ill, 
and I don’t know where to find a doctor at 
this hour of the night. Don’t forget my 
warning. You must not say another word, or 
something serious may happen to both of us. 
Hold tight.” 

Pinkus shut his mouth, pressed his knees 
close to the donkey’s side, and the animal 
started off. It went gently and slowly, and 
Pinkus began to feel comfortable. It was a 
long time since he had a nice ride like this. He 
stroked the ass to show that he was pleased. 
But Pinkus was a fool, and in two minutes he 


THE ENCHANTED DONKEY 55 

had quite forgotten the donkey’s warning about 
keeping his mouth closed. 

** Please tell me, kind and learned and gracious 
Mr. Donkey,” he said, ** do you do this every 
night ? ” 

The next moment he was nearly shot over 
the donkey’s head : the animal had stopped 
with a sudden jerk. 

” Now you have got yourself into trouble,” 
said the ass. You forgot my warning, so it 
is your own fault. I told you not to say another 
word. Don’t blame me.” 

** Oh, woe unto me,” cried Pinkus. ** What is 
going to happen now ? Is the ass going to change 
places with me, or to turn me into a pig, or an 
elephant, or a bee ? ” 

He looked at his hands and feet. He still 
had two of each, and they showed no signs of 
change. Then he looked round. The houses 
seemed to be different. They seemed smaller 
or rather, the housetops seemed nearer. They 
were coming nearer still. Then he looked 
down at the ground. He could hardly see it 
at all. It was far away. What was the matter ? 
He looked at the donkey, and gave a great cry 
of fear. 

The ass was growing. Its ears were as big as 
Pinkus himself, its body as large as an elephant. 


56 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

With every step it took, it continued to grow 
until Pinkus could see right over the house 
tops. 

'' Woe unto me,” cried the poor man. ** I 
will fall off and kill myself. Then the elephant- 
donkey will eat me. What shall I say to my 
master then ? He is sure to beat me.” 

The ass took no notice, but went on growing. 
Pinkus had never seen so big an animal. It left 
the town and moved towards a tall tower. 
When it got there, Pinkus was just level with 
the top. The donkey stopped. 

Take care of yourself, dear, kind, gracious 
Mr. Fool,” it cried in a voice of thunder. It 
kicked up its hind legs, and Pinkus felt himself 
thrown from its back on to the top of the 
tower. 

By-by, Mr. Foolman,” said the donkey, 
waving its long tail and long ears. ** When 
next you are told to hold your tongue, do 
so. 

Then it moved off, growing smaller with 
every step until it vanished. Pinkus cried. 

Help, save me, I am drowning,” and all sorts 
of things, but nobody could hear him. 

Everybody was late for the synagogue, and 
many hours passed before the cries of poor 
Pinkus were heard. All the town came to see 



6 ? 



58 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


what was the matter. It took a long time 
before they could fix up ladders to bring Pinkus 
down. He was tired and hungry, and everybody 
laughed at him and called him fool when he told 
his story. 

You should not talk so much, you donkey/' 
they said. 


THE GREEDY FOX 


A 


The Greedy Fox 

FOX one day passed by a beautiful 
vineyard. The grapes were just 
ripe, and they looked very tempting. 
'' Ah, I shall know where to find 
my supper to-night/' said the fox. I shall 
come back when everybody is asleep." 

So he came back at night, but, to his dis- 
appointment, he found that he could not get 
into the vineyard. All around were railings 
placed so close together that he could not pos- 
sibly creep between them. He tried very 
hard to squeeze himself through, and once he 
nearly got stuck. At last he had to give up 
the attempt. 

I shall have to look elsewhere for my 
supper," said Reynard to himself. '' But I 

did so want some grapes, and I am tired." 

61 



62 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

He laid down to sleep, and when he woke in 
the morning, the grapes looked more tempting 
than ever. 

Well, this is exasperating,” said sly fox. 

I must and shall have some grapes. I shall 
sit here and starve myself until I am thin 
enough to creep through the railings.” 

For three days Reynard suffered the pangs 
of hunger, and then he was thin enough to 
crawl between the railings into the vineyard. 
He ate his fill, enjoying himself hugely. 

** This is jolly,” he said, rolling on the ground. 
** It was worth starving myself three days to 
enjoy such a feast.” 

But when he tried to leave the vineyard, he 
found that he had grown fat again from so 
much feeding. 

It seems to me I have been silly after all,” 
he said ruefully. ** Now I shall have to starve 
myself again for three days, with all these 
beautiful grapes around me, to make myself 
thin enough to creep out.” 

It was very hard on the poor fox, but he 
admitted to himself he had been greedy. 

It serves me right,” he said, as he crept 
out, feeling very weak. Now I am worse 
off than before, for I have little strength, and 
yet I must go and look for food.” 


THE MAN WHO WAS A HUN- 
DRED YEARS YOUNG 



The Man who was a Hundred 
Y ears Y oung 

^ASSING through the city of Tiberias, 
King Hadrian was surprised to see 
a very old man, with a long, white 
beard, planting a fig-tree. He told 
his attendants to bring the man before him. 

How old are you ? '' the King asked the 
man. 

Your Majesty,'' he replied proudly, '' to- 
day is my birthday. I am just one hundred 
years old." 

'' Why do you plant that tree ? " asked the 
King. '' Had you laboured when you were 
younger, you would have stored up something 
for your old age." 

I was not idle in my youth," replied the 



66 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

old man, '' and I hope to eat of the fruit of 
this tree/' 

The King was amazed. 

Surely," he said, it will take years before 
that sapling that you have just planted will 
grow into a tree and bear fruit. Do you hope 
to live so many years ? " 

Why not ? " returned the man. ** If it 
be God’s pleasure to let me live even another 
hundred years. He can so ordain it. If not, 
well then, your Majesty, the fruit of this tree 
shall be for my son. My father left the fruit 
of his labour for me." 

You are old only in years, but not in spirit," 
said the King. '' You are one hundred years 
young. I shall not forget you, and if you live 
to eat of the figs of this tree, bring some to me 
at the Palace." 

The years rolled on, and one day a very aged 
man stood before the Palace gates with a 
basket of ripe figs in his hand. 

'' I wish to see the King," he said to the 
guards. Years ago, on my one hundredth 
birthday, I planted a fig-tree, and the King 
bade me bring the first fruit of it to the Palace." 

The guards laughed at this story at first, but 
at last they informed the King, who at once 
ordered the man to be brought before him. 


THE MAN 100 YEARS YOUNG 67 

What is your wish with me ? he asked. 

'' Sire/’ replied the old man, I am the 
man, old in years but young in spirit, whom 
thou didst see on my hundredth birthday 
plant the fig-tree of which these are the first 
fruits. It was thy wish that if I lived, I should 
bring them to thee.” 

The King remembered, and he was so delighted 
that he took the figs and ordered his soldiers 
to fill the old man’s basket with gold pieces. 
When the old man had left, the Vizier said to 
His Majesty — 

This man is a J ew. Why didst thou honour 
him so for a few figs ? ” 

** Silence,” commanded the King. Why 
should I not honour a man whom God has so 
honoured ? ” 

When the old man returned to his home, his 
neighbour’s wife saw his basket of gold. 

'' Where did you get so much wealth ? ” she 
asked in astonishment. 

At the Palace,” he replied, in exchange 
for a basket of figs.” 

The woman at once ran indoors to her 
husband. 

Husband mine,” she cried, in great ex- 
citement. We shall be very rich, wealthy 
enough to buy a great palace, if you will but 


68 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


do as I bid you. Take the biggest basket you 
can find and fill it with ripe figs. Then carry 
it to the Palace. The Emperor loves figs, and 
he will fill the basket with gold for you.’' 

The husband would not believe this until he 
heard of his neighbour’s luck. Then he got a 
huge basket of figs, so big and so heavy that 
he could hardly carry it, and staggered off 
under its burden to the Palace. 

'' Let me in to the King,” he said to the 
guards. 

''What would you with His Majesty?” 
they asked in surprise. 

" I wish to give him this basket of figs for 
gold pieces in exchange.” 

The guards laughed loudly and sent word to 
the King that a lunatic with a basket of figs 
was at the gates. 

‘‘ Let me see him,” said King Hadrian, much 
amused. 

The man was brought before the King, still 
with his big basket on his shoulder. 

I pray your gracious Majesty,” he said, 
" to take these figs and fill my basket with gold 
pieces, even as thou didst to my neighbour, 
the aged Jew.” 

In what way has God honoured you ? ” 
asked the King. " It seems to me that He has 


THE MAN 100 YEARS YOUNG 69 

dishonoured you by making you a fool. You 
shall have the reward which a fool deserves. 
Take your stand in the courtyard with your 
figs.” 

The man did so, thinking that he would get 
a basket of gold, but instead, the guards, at the 
instruction of the King, began to pelt him with 
his own figs. 

Feeling very sore, the poor man hurried 
home and told his wife. 

‘‘It is all your fault,” he whined. 

“You have much to be thankful for,” she 
replied, to his great surprise. 

“ What do you mean ? ” he asked. 

“ You can be thankful,” she answered, 
“ that the Jew planted a fig-tree and not a 
cocoanut tree. How would you have liked to 
have been pelted with cocoanuts ? 





THE KING, THE QUEEN, AND 
THE BEE 




The King, the Queen, and 
the Bee 

N a bright summeris day, when the 
sun beat down fiercely upon the 
heads of the people, King Solomon 
sought the shade of one of his 
favourite gardens. But even where the foliage 
on the trees was so thick that it seemed the 
sun’s rays could not penetrate, it was also hot. 
Not a breath of air was there to fan the monarch’s 
cheek, and he lay down on the thick grass and 
gazed through the branches of the trees at the 
blue sky. 

'' This great heat makes me weary,” said 
the King, and in a few minutes he had quietly 
fallen into a deep sleep. 

78 



74 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

All was still in the beautiful garden, except 
for the sound of a few humming birds, the 
twittering of the moths whose many-coloured 
wings looked more beautiful than ever in the 
bright sunshine, and the buzzing of the bees. 
But even these sounds grew still as the fierce 
rays from the sky grew hotter until all 
nature seemed hushed to rest. Only one tiny 
bee was left moving in the garden. It flew 
steadily from flower to flower, sipping the honey, 
until at length it began to feel overcome by 
the heat. 

Oh, dear ! I wonder what is the matter 
with me,'' buzzed the little bee. " This is the 
first time I have come out of the hive, and I do 
feel queer. I hope I am not going to faint." 

The little bee felt giddy, and after flying 
round and round dizzily for a few minutes it 
fell and dropped right on to King Solomon's 
nose. Immediately the King awoke with such 
a start that the little bee was frightened almost 
out of its wits and flew straight back to the 
hive. 

King Solomon sat up and looked round to 
see what it was that had awakened him so 
rudely. He felt a strange pain at the tip of 
his nose. He rubbed it with his royal fore- 
finger, but the pain increased. 


THE KING, QUEEN, AND BEE 75 

Attendants came rushing towards him and 
asked him what was the matter. 

I must have been stung on the nose by a 
bee/' said the King angrily. ''Send for the 
Lord High Physician and the Keeper of the 
Court Plaister immediately. I cannot have 
a blister on the tip of my nose. To-morrow 
I am to be visited by the Queen of Sheba, and 
it will not do to have a swollen nose tied up in 
a sling." 

The Lord High Physician came with his many 
assistants, each carrying a box of ointment, or 
lint, or some other preparation which might be 
required. King Solomon's nose, and especially 
the tip of it, was examined most carefully 
through a microscope. 

"It is almost nothing," said the Lord High 
Physician reassuringly. " It is just a tiny 
sting from a very little bee which did not leave 
its sting in the wound. It will be healed in an 
hour or two and the Queen of Sheba will not be 
able to notice that anything at all is the matter 
to-morrow." 

But meanwhile it smarts," said King 
Solomon. I am seriously annoyed with the 
little bee. How dared it sting me. King Solomon, 
monarch of all living things on earth, in the air 
and in the waters. Knows it not that I am 


76 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

its Royal Master to whom all homage and respect 
is due ? '' 

The pain soon ceased, but His Majesty did 
not like the smell of the greasy ointment which 
was put on his nose, and he determined that 
the bee should be brought before him for trial. 

Place the impudent little bee under arrest 
at once,'' he commanded, '' and bring it before 
me so that I may hear what it has to say." 

But I know it not," returned the Lord 
High Chamberlain, to whom the command was 
given. 

Then summon the Queen bee before me in 
an hour and bid her bring the culprit," answered 
the monarch. ''Tell her that I shall hold all 
the bees guilty until the saucy little offender is 
produced before me." 

The order was carried to the hive by one of 
the butterflies in attendance on the King and 
spread consternation among the bees. Such a 
buzzing there was that the butterfly said — 

" Stop making that noise. If the King hears 
you, it will only make matters worse." 

The Queen bee promised to obey King Solo- 
mon's command, and in an hour she made her 
appearance in state before the great throne. 
Slowly and with much pomp, the Queen bee 
made her way to King Solomon. She was the 


THE KING, QUEEN AND BEE 77 

largest of the bees and was escorted by a body- 
guard of twelve female bees who cleared the 
way before her, walking backwards and bowing 
constantly with their faces to her. 

King Solomon was surrounded by all his Court 
which included living beings, fairies, demons, 
spirits, goblins, animals, birds and insects. 
All raised their voices in a loud hurrah when 
His Majesty took his seat on the Throne, and 
a very strange noise the Court made. The 
lions roared, the serpents hissed, the birds 
chirped, the fairies sang and the demons howled. 
The goblins that had no voices could only 
grin. 

Silence ! '' cried a herald. '' The Queen 
bee is requested to stand forth.'' 

Still attended by her twelve guards, ^he 
Queen bee approached the foot of the Throne 
and made obeisance to King Solomon. 

'' I, thy slave, the Queen bee," she buzzed, 
am here at thy bidding, mighty ruler, great 
and wise. Command and thou shalt be 
obeyed." 

“It is well," replied Solomon. “Hast thou 
brought with thee the culprit, the bee that 
did dare to attack my nose with its sting ? " 

'' I have, your Majesty," answered the Queen 
bee. It is a young bee that this dav did 


78 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


leave the hive for the first time. It has con- 
fessed to me. It did not attack your Majesty 
wilfully, but by accident, owing to giddiness 
caused by the heat, and it could not have in- 
jured your Majesty seriously, because it left 
not its sting in the wound. Be merciful, 
gracious King.'' 

Fear not my judgment," said the King. 
'' Bid the bee stand forth." 

Tremblingly, the little bee stood at the foot 
of the Throne and bowed three times to King 
Solomon. 

Knowest thou not," said the King, that 
I am thy royal master whose person must be 
held sacred by all living things ? " 

'' Yes, gracious Majesty," buzzed the bee. 

Thy slave is aware of this. It was but an 
accident, and it is the nature of thy slave, the 
bee, who is in duty bound to obey thy laws, to 
thrust forth its sting when in danger. I thought 
1 was in danger when I fell." 

'' So was I, for I was beneath you," returned 
King Solomon. 

Punish me not," pleaded the bee. '' I am 
but one of your Majesty's smallest and humblest 
slaves, but even I may be of service to your 
Majesty some day." 

These words from the little bee made the 


THE KING, QUEEN, AND BEE 79 

whole Court laugh. Even the goblins which 
could not speak grinned from ear to ear and 
rolled their big eyes. 

'' Silence ! '' commanded the King sternly. 

There is naught to laugh at in the bee’s 
answer. It pleases me well. Go, thou art 
free. Some day I may need thee.” 

The little bee bowed its head three times 
before the King and flew away, buzzing happily. 

Next day it kept quite close to the Palace. 

I want to see the procession when the 
Queen of Sheba arrives,” it said, ** and I also 
must be near the King in case His Majesty 
may want me.” 

In great state, the beautiful Queen of Sheba, 
followed by hundreds of handsomely robed 
attendants, approached King Solomon who was 
seated on his Throne, surrounded by all his Court. 

Great and mighty King of Israel,” she said, 
curtse3dng low, ” I have heard of thy great 
wisdom and would fain put it to the test. 
Hitherto all questions put to thee hast thou 
answered without difficulty. But I have sworn 
to puzzle thy wondrous wisdom with my 
woman’s wit. Be heedful.” 

'' Beauteous Queen of Sheba,” returned King 
Solomon, rising and bowing in return to her 
curtsey, thou art as witty as thou art fair^ 


8o JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

and if thou art successful in puzzling me, thy 
triumph shall be duly rewarded. I will load 
thee with rich presents and proclaim thy wit 
and wisdom to the whole world. 

“ I accept thy challenge,” replied the Queen, 
'' and at once.” 

Behind Her Majesty stood two beautiful 
girl attendants, each holding a bouquet of 
flowers. The Queen of Sheba took the flowers, 
and holding a bouquet in each hand, said to 
King Solomon — 

‘‘ Tell me, thou who art the wisest man on 
earth, which of these bunches of flowers is real 
and which artificial.” 

‘‘ They are both beautiful and their fragrance 
delicious in the extreme,” replied King Solomon. 

'' Ah,” said the Queen, ‘‘but only one bunch 
has fragrance. Which is it ? ” 

King Solomon looked at the flowers. Both 
bunches looked exactly alike. From where he 
sat, it was impossible to detect any difference. 
He did not answer at once, and he knit his 
brows as if perplexed. The courtiers also 
looked troubled. Never before had they seen 
the King hesitate. 

“ Is it impossible for your Majesty to answer 
the question ? ” the Queen asked. 

Solomon shook his head and smiled. 


THE KING, QUEEN, AND BEE 8i 

Never yet has a problem baffled me,'' he 
said. '' Your Majesty shall be answered, and 
correctly." 

'' And at once," said the Queen of Sheba 
imperiously. 

“ So be it," answered King Solomon, gazing 
thoughtfully round and raising his magic 
sceptre. 

Immediately he heard what no one else did, 
the faint buzzing of the tiny wings of the little 
bee which had settled on one of the window 
panes of the Palace. 

Bid that window be opened," he com- 
manded, pointing to it with his sceptre, '' and 
let the bee enter to obey my wish." 

The window was promptly opened, and in 
flew the little bee. Straight towards the Queen 
of Sheba it flew, and now its buzzing could be 
heard by all the courtiers, who eagerly watched 
its flight through the air. Without any hesi- 
tation, it settled on the bouquet in the Queen's 
left hand. 

** Thou hast my answer, fair Queen of Sheba," 
said King Solomon, rising, given to thee by 
one of the tiniest of my subjects. It has settled 
on the flowers that are natural. The bouquet 
in your right hand is made by human hands." 

The whole Court applauded the monarch's 

F 


82 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


wisdom in bidding the little bee help him out 
of his difficulty. 

Your Majesty is indeed the wisest man 
on earth/ ^ said the Queen. 

Thanks, my little friend,'' said the King 
to the bee, and it flew away, buzzing merrily. 


HONEIM’S MAGIC SHOES 



Honeim’s Magic Shoes 

N a large city in the Far East, in the 
ancient days of romance and mys- 
tery, dwelt a queer old shoemaker, 
named Honeim. He was a Jew, 
and those who were not Jews said he was a 
magician. He could tell how rich, or how poor, 
a man was merely by looking at him, and he 
never would allow any one to purchase a pair of 
shoes from him which they really could not 
afford to buy. 

Honeim sold all kinds of shoes, and his open 
shop in the principal bazaar of the city was a 
remarkable sight. Hundreds of shoes of all 
shapes, all sizes and all colours were neatly 
ranged on shelves, and on the floor, and were 

N 



86 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

hung from poles and from the ceiling. Honeim 
had no need to ask any one who came to buy 
shoes and sandals the measurement of their feet. 
By merely looking at his customer, he could tell 
the best shape and size and colour that was 
wanted, and as a rule the very first pair of shoes 
which he offered were the most satisfactory. 

If a customer was not satisfied after seeing 
three pairs, Honeim would say — 

I have not the pair of shoes which you 
require. You must go elsewhere.” 

Then he would take up a book and answer no 
more questions. If the customer was anxious 
to buy a pair of shoes which Honeim knew he 
could not afford, the queer shoemaker would 
say— 

''It is my business only to satisfy my 
patrons. I cannot sell you these shoes below 
a certain sum of money. That sum is beyond 
your means. It has not been decreed that we 
shall do business to-day. Peace be with 
you.” 

The next minute he would be deep in the 
study of his book and would not say another 
word. 

One day an Arab on a camel stopped at his 
shop and gazed admiringly at the hundreds of 
shoes exhibited. Honeim saw him, but took no 


HONEIM^S MAGIC SHOES 87 

notice. Usually, when any one stopped to look 
at his shoes, Honeim immediately rushed for- 
ward to describe their good qualities. This 
time, however, he kept on studying his book. 
The Arab, failing to attract the shoemaker's 
attention, induced his camel to go down on its 
knees, and then he slowly descended from its 
back. He entered the shop, but still Honeim 
took no notice of him. 

Sir," said the Arab at last, I desire to 
purchase a pair of shoes.” 

** And wherefore ? ” asked Honeim, without 
looking up from his book. 

Surely, one only purchases shoes to wear,” 
replied the Arab. 

Thou dost not need shoes,” returned 
Honeim, turning to look at the Arab. ” Thou 
art a son of the desert. Thou dwellest not in a 
city. Thy home is on the sandy plain where 
shoes are useless. Thou hast but come into this 
city to purchase trappings for thy camel, and 
hast already spent freely of thy little store of 
money. I cannot trade with thee.” 

The Arab was astonished. 

'' How earnest thou to know all this ? ” he 
asked. 

Seek not to learn how Honeim knows of 
the things which most men know not,” replied 


88 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


Honeim. ''Let it suffice thee that I know. 
Have I not spoken truth ? 

" Verily thou hast/' said the Arab, wondering 
all the more, but perchance thou hast been 
informed." 

" Waste not idle words," was Honeim's 
answer. Who is there in this great city who 
knows of thee, or who knew of thy coming 
to-day ? None, I tell thee. " 

" True, true," said the Arab musingly. 
"Thou art a strange shoemaker. Perchance 
art thou a magician." 

" It is not given to thee, son of the desert, to 
learn the secrets which I choose to keep from 
thee," answered Honeim. " Already hast thou 
tarried long in this city. Get thee to thy tribe, 
to thy tent again, ere evil befall thee. Thou 
art ignorant of the ways of a great city. Depart 
in peace." 

The Arab grew impatient. 

" Who art thou to speak thus to me ? " he 
demanded angrily. ''Thou art but a shoe- 
maker; I am the son of a desert chief. My 
father possesses great store of wealth in 
camels." 

" I see that thou art but a son of the desert 
and knowest not the ways of the city," replied 
Honeim with a smile. " Depart in peace, I 


HONEIM^S MAGIC SHOES 89 

tell thee, and enjoy the wealth of thy father, the 
chief. Waste it not in the purchase of shoes for 
which thou hast no need in the desert.’’ 

The Arab squatted on the carpet in the centre 
of the shop. 

Here, sirrah,” he exclaimed, will I remain 
until I have selected a pair of shoes. There 
are occasions when even a son of the desert 
may need to encase his feet in the trappings of 
the city.” 

Honeim looked at him very keenly for a few 
moments and then smiled. 

She on whom thou hast set thy heart,” he 
said at last, '' will love thee more if thou seekest 
not to follow the ways of the city swains. She, 
too, is the daughter of a chief, a child of the 
desert. Tell me, has she ever worn a pair of 
shoes ? ” 

The Arab sprang to his feet. 

How knowest thou this ? ” he asked 
fiercely. 

Honeim laughed. 

'' Have I not already informed thee,” he 
said, that it is useless to seek to learn of the 
sources of my information. Suffice it that I 
know thou art in love with a beauteous desert 
maid. Tell me, why dost thou not propose to 
purchase a pair of shoes for the maiden ? As 


90 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

thou seest, I have a goodly store of shoes for 
the dainty feet of damsels/' 

'' She would not wear them/' said the Arab 
dolefully, ceasing to marvel any longer at the 
things which Honeim said. 

'' Then," said the shoemaker, with a ring of 
triumph in his voice, is it likely that it 
will please her to see thy feet encased in 
shoes ? " 

This time the Arab smiled. 

Thou art a mysterious and wonderful man, 
Honeim," he said, '' but thou art aged and 
know naught, I perceive, of the ways of maidens. 
Should I return with my feet encased in a pair 
of red shoes, I will be different from the other 
swains of the desert and will find favour in the 
damsel's eyes." 

Honeim sighed. 

'' If so thou believest," he said, ** it will be 
difficult to make thee think otherwise. Thou 
art a stubborn youth and hast yet much to 
learn. I will show thee some shoes, but have 
a care. I have warned thee, and the warnings 
of Honeim are not to be disregarded. 

Silence ! Thou art merely a shoemaker," 
cried the Arab. The day is waning, and I 
must return ere set of sun. Show me a pair of 
red shoes." 


HONEIM’S MAGIC SHOES 


91 

Honeim put several shoes before the Arab, 
but he rejected them at once. 

'' These,'' he said, '' are shoes for a town 
beggar and not for the son of a desert chief. I 
must have shoes of more gorgeous appearance." 

But I tell thee thou hast not the money 
for such shoes," said Honeim. 

I have had enough of thy impertinent non- 
sense," cried the Arab savagely. '' Remember, 
I am the son of a desert chief of wealth and 
power, and thou, dog of a Jew, art but a miser- 
able shoemaker." 

Honeim's eyes flashed. 

He who calls me dog of a Jew will have 
cause to repent," he said in a quiet tone of 
voice. 

The Arab scowled. The old man's words 
troubled him, but he was most anxious to have 
a pair of shoes, and he bit his lip in vexation 
and said not another word. Looking round, he 
saw a pair of bright red shoes with golden 
laces. 

'' Those are pleasing to my eyes," he said. 

They will surely be pleasing also to the bright 
eyes of the maiden I adore. Permit me to see 
if they are of the length of my foot." 

Honeim handed him the shoes without a 
word, and the Arab almost screamed with 


9 ' 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

delight when he saw that they fitted exactly. 
He got up from the carpet and strutted round, 
feeling very proud of himself. 

** She will not dare to refuse me now,'’ he 
said, These will I take, Honeim." 

Thou hast not yet inquired the price," said 
the shoemaker. 

The Arab took a gold piece from his wallet 
and offered it to Honeim. 

“ This will more than pay thee, I think," he 
said, so give me the change and let me begone. 
I am eager that she who is to be my bride 
should see them to-day." 

Thou art in too great a hurry, son of the 
desert," replied Honeim. '' Gold will not pur- 
chase these shoes." 

What then ? " asked the Arab, greatly 
surprised. 

For these shoes," replied Honeim slowly, 
the price is a camel — such as thine by my 
door." 

Pshaw! " said the Arab. " Thou knowest 
not what thou sayest. My camel is worth more 
than twenty such pairs of shoes. It is one of 
the noblest in my father's possession. It is a 
camel fit for an emperor." 

And so are these shoes," returned Honeim. 
It is useless to haggle with me. Thou canst 


HONEIM^S MAGIC SHOES 


93 

not have the shoes and the camel at the same 
time/’ 

Those are strange words/’ the Arab said. 
'' What mean they ? ” 

Honeim wastes not, nor repeats his words/’ 
said the shoemaker. ^ ' Scorn not my warning. 

I will sell thee another pair of shoes for less 
than thy gold piece.” 

'' It is as I surmised/’ the Arab said. Thou 
must be a magician, and perchance there is 
magic in the shoes/' 

‘‘ Perchance,” said Honeim, shrugging his 
shoulders. '' Remember, I have warned thee.” 

''A fig for thy warning,” cried the Arab. I 
am the son of a desert chief. Courage is not 
lacking in my tribe. I defy thy magic, and will 
have the shoes.” 

Only in return for thy camel,” said Honeim, 
quietly. 

In vain the Arab haggled and pleaded. 
Honeim would scarce listen. He took up his 
book and was deaf to all entreaties. At last 
the Arab stormed and threatened, but all to no 
purpose. Honeim did not even reply. Half a 
dozen times the Arab commenced to mount his 
camel and then returned to plead again, but 
still Honeim said not a word and quietly went 
on studying his book. The Arab mounted his 


94 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

camel at last, and as the animal rose from its 
knees, he shouted, loudly enough for everybody 
to hear — 

Dog of a Jew ! ” 

Honeim slowly rose from the carpet on which 
he had squatted and looked after the Arab. 

He would not heed my warning,"' he said to 
himself. He must be made to see that it was 
not an idle one." 

Leaving his son in charge of the shop, he took 
the red shoes with the golden laces and made 
his way by a short cut to the road which 
he knew the Arab would have to take. He 
passed the city’s gates before the Arab on his 
camel, and when he came to a lonely part of the 
road he dropped one of the shoes and continued 
his walk with quick strides for one so aged. 

A little while afterwards the son of the desert 
chief came along the road on his camel. His 
brow was clouded and he seemed moody and 
despondent. Suddenly, however, he saw the 
red shoe in the road, and he sprang from the 
camel with a cry of surprise and delight. 

It is exactly like Honeim’s magic shoes," 
he said, in astonishment. '^I wonder how it 
came hither." 

He could see nobody, however, nor could he 
see a second shoe. He threw it down in disgust. 


HONEIM^S MAGIC SHOES 


95 


What is the good of one shoe to me ? '' he 
said. I am dallying, and it is growing 
late.'* 

Hastily, he remounted his camel, and made it 
move along at a rapid pace. It had not gone 
more than half a league, however, when he 
suddenly stopped it and sprang to the ground. 
He had caught sight of another red shoe ! 

Why," he said, it is the fellow of the other. 
The two are a pair and must have fallen from 
some caravan. What a fool I was not to have 
taken the other. I should now have had the 
pair and without any payment whatsoever." 

He looked round. The sun was beginning to 
set, only a league ahead was the desert where 
his father was encamped, and on the lonely road 
he could not see anybody. 

Yes, I will," he said to himself, and tying 
his camel to a tree, he started to run back along 
the road as fast as he could. The Arab was a 
swift runner, the swiftest in his tribe, and in a 
few minutes he was back at the spot where he 
had found the first shoe. It was still on the 
ground where he had thrown it. 

I am in luck's way and can laugh at the 
Jew's warning," he cried with delight, picking 
up the shoe. I have the pair now, for no- 
thing." 


96 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

Swift as a deer he ran back again, but stopped 
suddenly. 

I think I have run all the distance/' he 
said, panting, but where is my camel ? " 

There were not many trees, and he thought 
he could recognize the one to which he had 
tied his camel. Yet it was nowhere to be seen. 
Up and down the road he ran for some time, 
but no camel and no living thing of any kind 
could he see. 

Weary and sorrowful, at last he commenced 
his walk home in the direction where the sun 
was sinking, a ball of fiery red, like the colour 
of the shoes which were no longer beautiful to 
him, but which he carried in his hand. 

What were the exact words of the Jew's 
warning ? " he said to himself. ** ‘ Thou canst 
not have the shoes and the camel at the same 
time.' Those were his words of warning, and I 
disregarded them. What shall I say now to my 
father and to the maiden ? " 

It was almost dark when he arrived at the 
camp. His father was waiting for him, and by 
his side was a beautiful Arab maid, with lustrous 
eyes. With head bowed, he approached them. 

Hast thou returned alone and on foot ? " 
asked his father. 

“ It is as thou seest," he replied sorrowfully. 


HONEIM’S MAGIC SHOES 


97 


Where is thy camel ? '' 

It has been stolen from me” 

His father's eyes flashed, and angry words 
rose to his lips. But before he could speak, the 
maiden said, in a voice of tender sweetness — 

** But surely thou hast brought something 
back ? " 

I have brought back Honeim's shoes," he 
replied, but when he looked for them in his 
cloak where he had put them, they were gone ! 
They have disappeared," he said sadly. 
I have been fooled by a magician. But it is 
my own fault. He warned me, and I heeded 
not." 

The girl laughed loudly. So did his father, 
and all the camp came out to laugh at him. 

And from that day to this, people in the Far 
East when they wish to say that a man has been 
on a fool's errand use the words — 

He has brought back naught but Honeim's 
shoes." 


G 



SAVED BY A ROSE 



















Saved by a Rose 


KING had a beautiful garden in which 
he spent a portion of each day. He 
loved to inhale the perfume of the 
many fragrant flowers which grew 
ftiere, to walk in the shade of the noble trees, 
and to watch the blossoms burst open and the 
fruit ripen. Never was he so happy as when 
he was in the garden, and those who tended it 
for him had instructions to spare no pains to 
keep it always beautiful and in perfect con- 
dition. So cleverly was it laid out, and so varied 
were the many plants and blooms in it, that 
there were flowers and green leaves all the year 
round, even in winter. 

One day the King left to take part in a war, 
and he walked round the garden to take fare- 
well of his favourite flowers and trees. 



102 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

'' Take great care of them/’ he said to the 
head gardener. '' I shall never cease to think 
of my beautiful and fragrant flowers.” 

Your Majesty’s instructions shall be 
obeyed/’ replied the man. '' Flowers are like 
living beings. It is a pity to let them die, or 
cruelly kill them.” 

'' What mean you by such extraordinary 
words ? ” asked the King. 

'' Nothing,” returned the man, wiping a tear 
from his eye. '' Your Majesty leaves behind 
these flowers and trees in my care, but you are 
taking away my son, my only son, in your army. 
He is to me what this garden is to Your 
Majesty.” 

It is his duty to fight for his King,” said His 
Majesty, and he strode away. 

Many months passed before the war was 
ended, but at last the King returned at the 
head of his army. Many had been killed and 
buried on the battlefield, many others had 
been wounded and were coming along slowly in 
chariots behind those who came with the King. 
Among those severely wounded was the gar- 
dener’s son. 

The King himself told the old man so as soon 
as he saw him. 

Yes, yes. Your Majesty, I know,!’ he re- 


SAVED BY A ROSE 


103 


turned. ** I heard the sad news weeks ago 
when some of the wounded came home. He 
will be like your garden, different, Your Ma- 
jesty, different.'' 

'' What words are these ? " demanded the 
King. Have not you carried out my orders 
and kept my beloved garden in proper con- 
dition ? " 

War is a terrible thing. Your Majesty," 
said the gardener. '' It destroys life, it de- 
vastates fields, plantations and gardens." 

I understand not your mysterious words," 
said the King wrathfully. '' Lead me to my 
garden." 

As soon as he saw it, he uttered an exclama- 
tion of surprise and rage. The garden had 
been neglected. Instead of beautiful, well-kept 
lawns with dainty beds of flowers, were wild 
patches of uncut grass and weeds. Yellow 
leaves littered the paths that were once so 
trim and neat, thorns, brambles and briars 
grew everywhere. 

This is no longer a garden, this is a wilder- 
ness," exclaimed the King. Cut every tree 
and every plant and shrub and bush down and 
burn them." 

‘'Yes, Your Majesty, war is a terrible thing," 
said the gardener. 


104 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

'' You are doddering ; I understand you not/^ 
said the King. '' Obey my orders at once, and 
I shall stand by and see that you do it.'' 

The gardener called his men, and they 
brought axes and sickles and scythes and com- 
menced to cut everything down and pile the 
shrubs and bushes into great heaps ready for 
burning. 

'' Not a single flower left," said the King 
sadly, as he watched the work of destruction. 
But suddenly he cried Stop ! " 

I see a single rose, a briar rose in the midst 
of all this wilderness," he said, hastily rushing 
to it. He picked it carefully, and inhaled its 
delicious perfume. 

How beautiful, how sweet ! " he exclaimed. 

It seems all the more beautiful because it is 
the only one in this wilderness." 

My son is my only child," said the gardener 
sorrowfully. 

The King looked at him in surprise. Then 
he seemed to understand, and he took the old 
man gently by the hand. 

Cut no more bushes down," he said. For 
the sake of this one beautiful flower, the whole 
plantation shall live and flourish again. I did 
wrong to take your only child. But he shall 
have the best attention of the most skilful 



io6 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

doctors and physicians. And he shall be as 
handsome and as perfect as I know you will 
make my garden again. You shall live, too, 
more in my esteem than ever, for in the bitter- 
ness of my heart I had determined on your 
death for this neglect of my garden.^’ 

The old gardener set to work with all his skill 
and determination. Before the summer passed, 
thejgarden was as beautiful as ever, and in its 
shady paths and its delightful arbours his son 
was nursed back to health and strength again 
and became the King’s favourite guard. 


THE FOOL OF ATHINA 


♦ 


The Fool of Athina 


was a city a few days’ journey 
Jerusalem. Its people were 
IS of the reputation of Jeru- 
They wanted to be con- 
sidered as important as the people of the 
famous city, and they never hesitated to say 
nasty things about Jerusalem. Once, a mer- 
chant of Athina paid a short visit to Jerusalem, 
and when he returned home he told a lot of 
silly stories about the sacred city and its 
people. 

‘‘ It is not a city at all,” he said, laughing. 
''It is really a big lunatic asylum. All the 
people are mad, or fools. Their customs are 
absurd everything they do is ridiculous.” 



no JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

Naturally, everybody laughed heartily, and 
afterwards when anybody in Athina wanted 
to call a person a fool, they said he came from 
Jerusalem. 

Go to Jerusalem,*’ meant that a person was 
silly and only fit to live in Jerusalem and not 
in Athina. 

News of this reached the Holy City, and the 
dwellers there were most indignant. A num- 
ber of the leading merchants held a meeting, 
and they decided that something must be 
done to put a stop to the foolish stories told in 
Athina. 

It is easy for us to decide that this should 
be done,” said one of the merchants, a man 
named Hafiz Ben, but it will be exceedingly 
difficult to carry out our desires. We must 
do something to make the man who spread the 
report ashamed of himself.” 

How this was to be done was the puzzle, 
and there was silence in the room while every 
one thought deeply. 

I have a plan,” cried Hafiz Ben suddenly, 
and he told it to the others in a whisper. They 
all chuckled, and said it was an excellent idea. 
They agreed also that Hafiz Ben was the best 
possible person to carry out the plan. One 
day, therefore, Hafiz Ben left Jerusalem alone 


THE FOOL OF ATHINA 


III 


for Athina. When he arrived there and said 
that he came from Jerusalem, a big crowd 
gathered round him and laughed at every- 
thing he did. 

When he went into an inn for refreshment, 
they gathered round the door and jeered at 
him. 

‘‘ Put his plate of food on the floor ; he will 
lap it like a cat,” shouted one to the inn-keeper. 

Is it true,” asked another, making a mock 
bow to Hafiz Ben, that in your great asylum 
city you lie on your backs at your meals and 
let your servants pour your food into your 
throats through a funnel ? ” 

Hafiz Ben took no notice, but sat and ate 
his food quietly. The crowd grew bigger, but 
suddenly the people parted to make way for 
one who seemed to be a person of importance. 
When he got to the door of the inn, he looked 
closely at Hafiz Ben. Then he turned to the 
crowd and said — 

Of a truth, it is a Jerusalem fool. I re- 
cognize him by his long ears. All the Jerusalem 
asses have long ears.” 

The crowd laughed all the more, and the one 
who had spoken entered the inn. 

'' Pray, be seated, and peace be with you,” 
said Hafiz Ben to him. 


II2 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

Ha, ha ! Did I not tell you ? ** cried the 
man of Athina to the crowd. '' In Jerusalem, 
they always put the cart before the horse. 
Did you not observe that he first asked me to 
be seated and then gave me the saluta- 
tion ? 

Hafiz Ben gathered from this man's speech 
and manner that he must be the person who had 
spread all the silly stories about Jerusalem, 
and he became very anxious to make friends 
with him. 

You know Jerusalem," said Hafiz Ben. 

" Of a truth," replied the man proudly. I, 
Sidi Abdulla, alone have visited your asylum 
city. It is from me that they know of 
you." 

Hafiz Ben called for wine for Sidi Abdulla, 
which greatly flattered that person. When 
he had drunk his fill, he proposed that they 
should take a walk through the city, and Hafiz 
Ben readily assented. His plan was beginning 
to work splendidly. A large crowd followed 
Hafiz Ben and Sidi. Suddenly Hafiz stopped 
and raised his hands in horror. 

" Oh, I have broken my shoe string," he 
said, 4n a loud voice, so that all could hear. 
" Please, friend Sidi Abdulla, lead me to a 
shoemaker so that he may repair it for me." 


THE FOOL OF ATHINA 


113 

Sidi Abdulla laughed heartily. 

Did I not tell you ? ’’ he said to the crowd. 
'"The Jerusalem man says that only a shoe- 
maker can repair the string of his shoe.” 

Hafiz said nothing, but walked quietly in 
the midst of the jeering crowd to a shoemaker’s 
shop. 

I will leave my shoe with you, so that you 
can repair the string,” he said. '' I will call 
for it in an hour.” 

The shoemaker was too much surprised to 
speak for a minute. Then he was about to 
say that it was not necessary to leave the shoe, 
and that he had shoe strings of all colours to 
sell, but Sidi Abdulla whispered to him that 
the stranger was a fool from Jerusalem. 

'' Good sir,” said the shoemaker to Hafiz,'' this 
is indeed a most serious breakage of your 
shoe string. I shall put three of my best work- 
men to the task of repairing it, so that it may 
be finished within the hour.” 

In an hour, Hafiz Ben and Sidi Abdulla 
called again, and the shoemaker showed them 
the shoe with a new string. 

" You perceive, sir stranger,” he said to 
Hafiz, " a new lace had to be made. It 
was no easy task, but as you see, sir, it fits 
exactly.’' 


H 


114 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

‘‘ It is indeed excellent/' replied Hafiz. 

You are a wonderful shoemaker. What 
is the amount of my debt to you for this mar- 
vellous workmanship ? " 

“ To you, sir, a stranger, only one ducat," 
replied the shoemaker, winking at the crowd. 

They all laughed merrily, because that was 
the price of a new pair of shoes. 

''It is amazingly cheap," said Hafiz. " I 
could not think of taking advantage of so 
profoundly learned a workman, simply be- 
cause I am a stranger. I must pay you two 
ducats." 

He paid the shoemaker two ducats, thanked 
him profusely and left with Sidi Abdulla. 
Everybody was convinced after this that the 
people of J erusalem must be idiots. The next day 
Hafiz Ben broke the string of his other shoe 
and again he went to the shoemaker and paid 
two ducats for a new one. Sidi Abdulla could 
not refrain from expressing his astonishment. 

" Shoes in Jerusalem," he said to Hafiz, 
" must be most costly, if you pay two ducats 
each for laces." 

" They are indeed expensive in our city," 
Hafiz answered. "They seU for ten ducats a 
pair. It is seldom that they can be bought 
for so low a price as nine or eight ducats." 


THE FOOL OF ATHINA 


115 

Sidi Abdulla remained silent and thought- 
ful for a few minutes. Then he said — 

'' If I bought shoes here and took them to 
Jerusalem to seU, I could make a fortune 
speedily ? '' 

Even so/’ answered Hafiz gravely. ** You 
could amass fabulous wealth in less than a 
year.” 

Of a truth I could/’ said Sidi Abdulla, 
eagerly. I will do it.” 

You are wise/’ said Hafiz. ** Sir, you 
have been exceedingly kind to me during my 
brief stay here. I will help you when you come 
to Jerusalem with shoes.” 

Sidi Abdulla was delighted. 

He bade an affectionate farewell to Hafiz, 
and determined to keep his great secret to 
himself. 

“ The fools of Jerusalem will pour gold into 
my coffers,” he said to himself. 

Quietly he set to work and spent nearly all 
his money on shoes of all sizes. He loaded 
them in huge bales on his camels and set sail 
with his caravan for Palestine. He sent one 
of his men on in advance to inform Hafiz Ben 
of his coming. Hafiz immediately called to- 
gether the merchants who had attended the 
first meeting. 


ii6 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

My plan is proceeding excellently/' he ex- 
plained to them, and they were overjoyed to 
hear that Sidi Abdulla was coming. 

'' Now we shall be avenged for the insults he 
has heaped upon us," they said. 

A procession of merchants was formed to the 
gate of the city by which Sidi Abdulla's caravan 
would enter. There they waited while Hafiz and 
two others went a little way out of the city 
to meet Sidi Abdulla. 

'' Greeting to you, Sidi Abdulla," said Hafiz, 
when they met the merchant of Athina. '' All 
the people of Jerusalem are looking forward 
eagerly to your coming. We have been sent 
out to give you welcome and to inform of the 
rules of trading in our city." 

'' What are your rules ? " asked Sidi Abdulla, 
very much impressed by this deputation of 
welcome. 

'' They are but two," replied Hafiz, where- 
fore have I two companions with me. One 
is a barber, the other a painter." 

Why these people ? " asked Sidi Abdulla, 
in surprise. 

It is enacted by the laws of the great city of 
Jerusalem," said Hafiz, drawing forth from 
his robe a long scroll and reading it, that 
whosoever cometh from an outside city to trade 


THE FOOL OF ATHINA 


117 

with us here^ must first have his head shaved 
and his face painted black/’ 

“ It is a strange rule/’ said Sidi Abdulla, in 
astonishment. 

'' It is the law, Clause III, Section 89, sub- 
section 302,’' Hafiz answered, reading from 
the scroll. You would not have us break 
our laws, would you ? We impose no duty 
on merchandise, and your profits will be 
great.” 

Sidi Abdulla looked at the shoes of the two 
men with Hafiz. They were extremely shabby. 
The men had put on their oldest and most torn 
shoes purposely. 

'' So be it,” he said, and while he sat on the 
ground, one man shaved him and the other 
painted his face black with sticky paint. 

It feels uncomfortable,” muttered Sidi 
Abdulla to himself, '' and my appearance must 
be ridiculous. But what matters it. I shall 
amass wealth by my large profits from these 
idiots.” 

A great crowd waited for the caravan at the 
city’s gate, and when Sidi Abdulla, with his 
black face and shaven head, entered, a huge 
shout went up. He thought it was a cheer of 
welcome, so he bowed repeatedly to the people 
as he marched at the head of his caravan to the 


Ii8 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

market place. Everybody knew, because of his 
black face, that he was the man who had 
insulted the city, and he looked so funny that 
even the children and the beggars laughed 
heartily. Sidi Abdulla was, however, too busy 
thinking of his profits to take any notice, and 
as soon as he got to the market place, he un- 
packed his shoes. 

There were hundreds of them, of all shapes, 
colours and sizes, and he spread them out 
on the ground, while many people gathered 
round. 

'' I bring you cheap shoes, noble people of 
Jerusalem,'' he cried loudly. I bring you 
beautiful shoes of exquisite workmanship. 
Never before have you seen such splendour in 
footwear, never in the history of your holy, 
sacred and beautiful city, have shoes been 
sold so cheaply as I shaU sell them to you." 

'' What is the price ? " asked several people. 

‘‘ Nine ducats a pair," said Sidi Abdulla. 

But the people laughed so loudly that he could 
scarcely make himself heard. 

What did you say, black face ? " he was 
asked again. 

Repeat your words of wisdom, shaven 
crown," cried others. 

‘‘ I said nine ducats a pair," shouted Sidi 


THE FOOL OF ATHINA 


119 

Abdulla, “ but I shall certainly not sell for less 
than eight/' 

'' Take them home," cried the people. “ We 
have never paid more than a ducat a pair." 

What ! " screamed Sidi Abdulla, in great 
astonishment. 

Take them home while you have the 
opportunity," said several people, picking up 
shoes. 

I will sell for seven ducats a pair, for six," 
cried poor Sidi. He was getting very hot 
with excitement, and the perspiration on his 
face was melting the black paint which began 
to run in streaks down his cheeks. 

We will not have them at any price, you 
fool of Athina," shouted one man, and he 
flung a shoe at Sidi Abdulla. 

Fool of Athina," cried the others, and 
everyone seized a shoe to fling at the poor 
merchant. 

Stop, stop," he screamed. Five ducats, 
four ducats " 

But the shoes began to rain fast on him, and 
fearing that he would be seriously injured, 
he commenced to run towards the gate by 
which he had entered. Through the streets the 
crowd followed, pelting him with his own shoes. 
At the gates of the city he saw Hafiz Ben. 


120 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

Save, save me/' he cried piteously. 

Once outside the gates you are safe/* 
said Hafiz. “ The people will not follow you 
outside the city. When next you visit a strange 
place, you will not poke fun at it." 

Bruised, footsore and weary, Sidi Abdulla 
set off for Athina, realizing that he had been 
well punished for his folly. 


SLY FOX AND SLY FISH 



N 


•..V 

V 

•* 



'4 

. 

• • Lt 


I 






I 



Sly Fox and Sly Fish 

LY fox was hungry. All day long 
he had wandered about and had 
been unable to find anything to 
eat. No matter how cunning he 
was that day, everybody seemed to see him 
coming and took warning. All the farmers 
carefully locked up their chickens and got big 
sticks ready, and everybody gave everybody 
else warning. Even the foolish ducklings were 
on their guard. 

** Quack, quack,” came the warning cry as 
soon as he was sighted, and they hastily swam 
over to the other side of the stream in which 
they were so that he could not follow. 

At last sly fox noticed a plank bridge across 

123 



124 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

the stream and he dashed across to the other 
side, but old mother duck saw him and hastily 
entered the water again with her family. Sly 
fox dashed back again, but got tired of running 
backwards and forwards across the plank. 
The ducks were always too quick for him, and 
finally they remained in the water altogether, 
moving up and down in the middle of the 
stream. Sometimes they came near, said 

Quack, quack,* • defiantly, and then swam 
away again. 

Tired, exhausted and hungry, sly fox laid 
down on the plank bridge to think. He pre- 
tended to be asleep, but kept one eye open. 
The ducks, however, were wary, and sly fox 
began to make up his mind to go without 
duck that day. 

After all,** he muttered to himself, “ I 
don*t think I am really fond of duck.** 

A fish leaped out of the water a few feet away, 
and sly fox was quickly on the alert. 

‘‘ Why should I not have fish to-day ? ** he 
asked himself. 

Another fish leaped out of the stream and 
fell back again, and sly fox peered into the 
water to see what was the matter. All the 
fishes were hurrying to and fro in great alarm. 

** Why are you excited, my good friends ? ** 


SLY FOX AND SLY FISH 125 

he asked. Such beautiful creatures as you 
are should be able to live in happiness and 
peace.” 

Even fishes like to hear pretty compliments, 
and when sly fox spoke so kindly to them and 
called them beautiful creatures, they stopped to 
listen. 

'' Ah, I have made a good impression,” 
thought sly fox, '' I must flatter them a little 
more. Then I will have fish for supper to-day.” 

'' I have never seen such beautiful slender 
bodies as yours,” he said aloud, '' and never 
have I seen any creature move so gracefully 
as you. You have no legs to grow tired, and 
you have not to walk over the hot, dusty roads 
where the sharp stones scratch you. Happy, 
happy fishes. How I envy you ! How I wish 
I could lie in the cool water like you.” 

'' We are not so happy as you think,” said 
one of the fishes. 

'' Is that possible ? ” said sly fox. 

It is indeed,” was the reply. ''Just now 
we are all agitated, because some fishermen are 
trying to tempt us with hooks on which they 
put worms. Then they put nets in the water 
to catch us.” 

'' Cruel, cruel men, to torture such beautiful 
creatures as you are,” said the fox. " How 


126 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

I feel sorry for you. Will you listen to my 
advice ? '' 

'' If it is good/’ replied the fishes. 

My advice is always good/’ replied the fox ; 

you know that I am the cleverest of all the 
animals.” 

We have heard that you are cunning/’ replied 
the fishes. “ Sometimes we hear the fishermen 
talk.” 

Sly fox was annoyed. 

'' And do you believe what the fishermen 
say ? ” he asked. '' Do you not know that 
they are your greatest enemies ? ” 

That is so,” they answered ; we have 
no peace from them. They try to catch us 
even at night.” 

'' Why, then, do you remain in the water 
where you are not secure ? ” asked sly fox. 

Come with me and I will show you a beautiful 
hiding-place under the ground. There you 
will be able to find lots of worms without the 
fear that they are stuck on hooks to catch you. 
There you wiU be secure against all the snares of 
the fishermen.’' 

No doubt,” replied the fishes, but shall we 
be secure against you ? ” 

Have I not told you I am your friend ? ” 
replied sly fox. '' Come with me and we shall 


SLY FOX AND SLY FISH 127 

dwell together and in peace as did our ancestors 
in the long, long ago/' 

''No, thank you," returned the fishes. " We 
see now that your cleverness is but cunning, and 
your wisdom only folly. If we are insecure in 
our natural element, the water, how much 
more dangerous will be our lot in a hole under- 
ground where we canont swim and where we 
cannot run because we have no legs. No, thank 
you, sly fox, you shall not have fish for supper 
to-night." 

The fishes swam away to tell the ducks, and 
the birds annoyed sly fox by going as near to him 
as they dared and impudently calling, "Quack, 
quack." 

Poor sly fox slunk home, and went to bed 
hungry that night. 


•-» 


THE PRINCESS AND THE RABBI 


I 










The Princess and the Rabbi 

was a great day in the poor Jewish 
quarter of Rome. The narrow streets 
of the Ghetto were gaily decorated. 
Everybody hung coloured flags from 
their windows and in festoons across the streets. 
Those who could not afford to buy flags, and 
most of the people were too poor to do so, hung 
out coloured cloths, blankets, carpets and even 
table-cloths. The general desire was to make 
the dark miserable streets of the Ghetto gay 
with bright colours, and in this the people suc- 
ceeded. Never had the squalid alleys looked 
so beautiful, and those who were not compelled 
to live in the Ghetto all their lives, as the Jews 
were, came to the gates of the quarter to see 
the wonderful sight. 



181 


132 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

The decorations were prepared for the visit 
of the Princess. Never before had a Royal 
personage visited the Jewish part of the city, 
and the Jews, although sorely oppressed by 
the Romans, were anxious to give every proof 
of their loyalty and their love of peace. All 
who had holiday clothes put them on for the 
day, and everybody who could possibly afford 
it, purchased some piece of ribbon, or lace, with 
which to decorate their clothes. In short, 
everybody tried to look their very best, and to 
make their dingy dwellings appear as bright 
and as handsome as palaces. 

All the elders of the community and the 
Rabbis in their festival robes awaited the Prin- 
cess at the gates of the Ghetto. They were 
accompanied by the choirs of the synagogues, 
also in their festival robes, and when the Prin- 
cess approached, they raised loud Hurrahs ! 
and sang a beautiful song of welcome. 

Slowly, the beautiful, but proud and haughty 
Princess came along in her chariot richly orna- 
mented with gold, and drawn by four white 
horses, caparisoned with crimson and silver 
trappings. When the song of welcome ceased 
and the chariot halted at the Ghetto gates, the 
Princess descended. The Rabbis moved for- 
ward in a procession to bid her welcome. At 


THE PRINCESS AND THE RABBI 133 

their head was the famous Rabbi Joshua ben 
Chananjah. He was not a tall man of dignified 
bearing. Unfortunately he was misshapen and 
had a humpback, and as he bowed low be- 
fore the Princess, she could not help but 
smile. 

What a grotesque-looking creature,’’ she 
remarked to her attendants, and they also 
smiled. 

A spasm of pain made the Rabbi’s face twitch 
when he heard these cruel words, but he took 
no notice, and calmly went on to deliver his 
address of welcome. He remained by the 
Princess’s side while she walked through two 
or three of the principal streets of the Ghetto. 
Everywhere the people greeted Her Royal 
Highness with the greatest enthusiasm, and the 
humpback Rabbi answered all her questions 
so promptly and with such courtesy and wit and 
wisdom that the Princess could not help but 
admire him. But every time he bowed to her, she 
noticed his misshapen back, and when at length 
he escorted her back to her waiting chariot at 
the Ghetto gates, she said to her attendants — 
That Rabbi is a rich kernel of wisdom in an 
ugly shell.” 

Again the Rabbi’s face bore a look of pain, 
and the Princess noticing it, said haughtily — 


134 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


“ O wise man of the Jews, give me, I pray you, 
ere I leave your hospitable Ghetto, some words 
of wisdom and advice with which to remember 
you/’ 

'Tt shall be as Your Royal Highness graciously 
commands,” said the Rabbi, bowing as low as 
he possibly could, so that she should see his 
hump again. Tell me,” he added, where 
does your Royal father, the august Emperor, 
on whom be peace, keep his choicest wines ? ” 

It is a strange question,” said the Princess. 

But peradventure, I am no ordinary man. 
Your Royal Highness,” answered the Rabbi, 
with a twinkle in his eye ; so, gracious Prin- 
cess, I pray you answer it.” 

My Royal father’s choicest wines,” she re- 
plied, somewhat amused, '‘are kept in the Royal 
cellars.” 

" Dark, underground chambers ? ” asked the 
Rabbi. 

" Even so,” replied the Princess. 

" And in what vessels, gracious Princess ? ” 
the Rabbi asked again. 

" In earthenware vessels,” answered the Prin- 
cess. 

Strange, exceeding strange,” said the Rabbi 
musingly, '' that the choicest vintages of the 
world, selected to grace a great and mighty 


THE PRINCESS AND THE RABBI 135 

Emperor’s table, should be kept in jars of com- 
mon earth and in an underground cellar.” 

** And how then should my Royal father’s wines 
be kept ? ” asked the Princess, in surprise. 

Gracious Princess,” replied the Rabbi, again 
bowing very low and letting her see his hump 
for a few seconds, '' should not the wines of an 
Emperor be kept in casks and vessels of gold 
in a beauteous chamber suffused with the rays 
of the sun ? ” 

The Princess seemed bewildered for a few 
minutes. 

Holy man of Israel,” she said at length, 
* thou art possessed of wisdom rare, and per- 
haps thou art right. It shall please my Royal 
whim to consider your unusual proposal. Fare- 
well.” 

As soon as the Princess reached the Palace, 
she summoned the head butler before her. 

Take a dozen slaves,” she said, '' and bid 
them empty the wines in the earthen jars in 
the Royal cellars into vessels of gold and 
place them in the Royal gardens in the sun.” 

But, Your Royal Highness ” said the 

butler, opening wide his eyes in astonishment. 

'' Silence, slave ! ” commanded the Princess. 

Perform my bidding, or your life shall be 
forfeit.” 


136 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

Without another word, the head butler 
hurriedly left and had the Princess's orders 
carried out. Everybody in the Palace wondered 
when they saw the rich red wines poured into 
big golden jugs which were ranged in rows in 
the gardens. 

A week later the Princess gave a banquet 
to a large number of guests. When they wer 
all assembled, she said — 

“ I bid you welcome. I have prepared a great 
surprise for you. It is wine of a new vintage. 

All were eager to see and taste the wines, 
and when they were placed upon the table, 
everybody admired the big golden jugs and 
hastened to fill their goblets. 

'' To Her Royal Highness, the gracious and 
the beautiful Princess," they cried, and then 
all put the goblets to their lips. 

The next moment they put down their goblets 
hastily and all made wry faces. One or two, 
indeed, began to splutter, and one old man 
jumped up and left the table. 

What means this unseemly conduct ? " 
cried the Princess in a great rage. '' Is this how 
you behave at the Royal table and in honour 
of the toast of the daughter of your Emperor ? " 

For a few moments nobody answered, but 
all continued to make wry faces, and one or 


THE PRINCESS AND THE RABBI 137 


two could not stop spluttering and coughing 

'' You, sirrah ! cried the Princess to a man 
who was still spluttering near her, you shall 
tell me the meaning of this, or your life shall be 
forfeit/’ 

Instantly the man ceased to splutter. 

Your Royal Highness,” he said slowly, 

there must be some mistake. This is not 
wine, but vinegar.” 

'' Vinegar ! ” exclaimed the Princess. How 
dare you ? How dare you insult your Royal 
master’s choicest wine. Guards, seize him. He 
shall be cast to the lions and torn limb from 
limb for this.” 

A great silence fell upon the guests and they 
stared at the Princess in horror. One of the 
oldest, a grey-haired officer of the guards, rose 
at the other end of the table. 

** Gracious Princess,” he began, ** give me leave 
to speak, ere your dread command be obeyed. 
I am an old soldier ; I fought by your father’s 
side in the great wars ere yet you were born, and 
in your childhood’s days oft did I dandle you 
on my knee. I, too, have tasted of this wine. It 
is strange, but it is scarce like wine. Indeed 
its taste is more like that of vinegar — bad 
vinegar, gracious Princess.” 

The Princess looked from one to the other of 


138 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

her guests in blank amazement. Then slowly, 
defiantly almost, she raised her goblet to her 
lips. All present held their breath. The Prin- 
cess took a tiny sip from her goblet. Then she 
put it down slowly and tried to keep a straight 
face. She tried to speak, but for a few moments 
could not. 

My guests,'* she said at last, in a husky voice, 

I crave your pardon. This wine is sour. It 
is bewitched and has a taste that cannot be 
good for human beings. I crave your pardon 
and will severely punish the knave who is 
responsible for this." 

Know you who he is ? " asked the grey- 
haired officer. 

“The hunchback Rabbi of the Jews," was 
the answer. “ Bid your guards fetch him hither 
on the instant. And, my guests, I crave your 
permission to retire awhile. This vile drink 
has made me ill." 

All the others were ill, too, for they had each 
taken a big drink of the sour wine, and while 
the guards marched to the Ghetto to bring back 
Rabbi Joshua ben Chananjah, the doctors of 
the Palace were very busy. Everybody had to 
swallow some nasty medicine, and one of the 
guests was so ill that it was thought he was 
poisoned, and he was sent home l5dng down 


THE PRINCESS AND THE RABBI 139 

in a chariot. In the streets the people who 
saw him pass thought he was drunk, and they 
jeered at him and threw stones. 

Very soon Rabbi Joshua ben Chananjah 
arrived, guarded by a dozen stalwart soldiers. 
A dozen others had to be left behind at 
the Ghetto gates which they locked. The 
Jews were astounded when the soldiers arrived 
to arrest their beloved Rabbi, and they would 
have followed the soldiers to the Palace, but 
they were not allowed out of the Ghetto and 
soldiers guarded the gates. 

Rabbi J oshua was brought before the Princess 
and her guests. He looked round in great 
astonishment. Everybody had a white face. 
They all seemed iU. When he saw the Princess, 
he bowed very low and kept his head down, until 
she said — 

'' Raise your head. You would not have me 
gaze upon your humpback for ever ? ** 

'' If it pleases Your Royal Highness to do so,’’ 
he answered. 

It pleases me not,” she said haughtily. 
Know you, wise and ungainly man of Israel, 
why it is you have been brought hither ? ” 
Rabbi Joshua looked round the banqueting 
chamber and saw the half-filled goblets of 
wine. 


140 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

'' Yes, I know,’' he said, again bowing his head. 
Stop, stop,” the Princess cried. Do not 
bow before me again. I have seen enough and 
too much of your hump. How do you know 
why I have sent for you ? Are you a magician ? ” 
We Jews practise not the black arts,” he 
replied. ''We apply the teachings of our fore- 
fathers, our prophets and our Rabbis, to all 
things.” 

'' And by that means you read the secrets 
that are not open to others ? ” 

" It is not difficult to read what Your Royal 
Highness calls secrets,” he replied. " I perceive 
here a banquet hastily finished, goblets of wine 
left half-filled, and your guests standing round 
with white, frightened faces. They are not 
well. They have partaken of something which 
disagrees with them — wine perhaps.” 

'' Truly art thou wisdom in an ungainly shell,” 
answered the Princess ; " but does your wisdom 
warn you that you have incurred my grave 
displeasure ? ” 

" No,” was the prompt reply, which surprised 
everybody. 

" You suggested that the Royal wines should 
be taken from the earthen jars in the cellar and 
placed in golden vessels in the sun, wise man 
of Israel,” went on the Princess, in tones of dis- 


THE PRINCESS AND THE RABBI 141 

pleasure ; knew you, then, that the wines 
would turn sour and be unfit to drink ? 

‘‘ I did, gracious Princess,'' answered the Rabbi. 

‘'Was not that folly, instead of wisdom ? " 
Not so." 

“ Why ? " inquired the Princess. 

“ Gracious Princess," replied the Rabbi, ‘‘ we 
are as the good God made us, and not all the 
things that are in outward appearance the most 
beautiful are the best. These golden vessels 
of yours are of exquisite beauty ; compared 
with them the earthen jars of your cellars are 
coarse and ugly. But they are the best in 
which to keep your choicest wines pure and 
good." 

‘‘ Then why did you advise me to put the 
wine into golden jugs ? " demanded the Princess 
angrily. 

“Your Royal Highness," replied the Rabbi, 
“ it was but an answer to your mockery of me 
when you did laugh at my ungainly figure and 
even at my learning and say it was but wisdom 
in an ugly shell. Gracious Princess, I am but 
an earthen jar among mortals " 

" And I the golden jug in which the wine of 
wisdom has turned sour," said the Princess, 
with bowed head. 

All present were silent, and they trembled 


142 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


as they saw the Princess rise from her luxurious 
couch. All expected her to summon the guards 
and order them to take the daring Rabbi to the 
place of execution. But she took him by the 
hand and said to her guests — 

Bow your heads, all of you, to this man of 
learning and wisdom, for he has taught me a 
lesson I shall never forget/' 



‘ Bow your heads,’ said the Princess, ‘ to this man of learning 
and wisdom, for he has taught me a lesson I shall 
never forget.’ ” 

143 


• i 


n ' 




tN‘ 









YUSSUFS THREE PUNISHMENTS 







YussuPs Three Punishments 

JF was the servant of a wealthy 
V and always pretended to be 
►st faithful in the performance 
his duties. 

I do not rob my master, as is the practice 
of other servants,'’ he said, not once but many 
times. 

At last his master became suspicious. 

I am beginning to doubt Yussufs honesty," 
he remarked to a friend. He talks too much 
of it. The man who is really honest does not 
constantly say so to everybody. He proves it 
by his actions." 

That is true," replied his friend ; ** therefore 
you must put your servant to the test. I have 
heard it said that he is a rich man, and that he 

147 



148 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

charges you double for everything which you 
send him to buy/’ 

'' That is my fear/' said Yussuf s master. I 
know that nothing which he purchases for me 
is cheap. But teU me, my friend, how to put 
a stop to the deceit and dishonesty.” 

His friend thought the matter over, and then 
said he had a good plan. 

I have a friend who is a fishmonger,” he said. 

Let us go to him and select some fish. Then 
send your servant to purchase the fish, and 
tell the dealer to sell him only that which you 
have selected. Then you will discover whether 
Yussuf charges you more than the price for 
which you will have bargained with the fish- 
monger.” 

It is excellent advice,” said Yussuf s master ; 

I will put it to the test at once.” 

They went to the shop of Ali, the fishmonger, 
and selected three fine fish for which the dealer 
said the price was ten pieces of silver. 

That is a large sum of money for three 
fishes,” said Yussufs master. 

'' Not so,” returned Ali. They are fresh fish, 
taken from the water this morning only. I 
have the same fishes but not so fresh, and I care 
not to sell them. If you care to have them, you 
may for five pieces of silver.” 


YUSSUr’S THREE PUNISHMENTS 149 

He brought the fish for them to see, and they 
could scarcely tell the difference. 

This gives me an idea,'' said Yussuf's master. 

I will send my servant and tell him I desire 
this particular kind of fish. If he is honest, 
he will bring the fresh fish. If not, he will 
bring the other and charge me the higher 
price." 

It was arranged with Ali that he should show 
Yussuf both kinds of fishes and then forward a 
note saying which were purchased. Yussuf, 
when his master returned home, was sent to 
the shop to get the particular kind of fish which 
his master said he liked. 

Get them good and fresh," he was told. 

You know I care only for the best, no matter 
what the price." 

Yussuf salaamed before his master and im- 
mediately hurried off to the shop. 

What is the price of those three fishes, friend 
Ali ? " he said, pointing to the kind described 
by his master. 

Ten pieces of silver," was the answer. 

Nonsense, rascal," said Yussuf. Dost wish 
to ruin so excellent a man as my good and 
faithful master ? " 

Certainly not,'* returned Ali, but I could 
not offer you anything that was not of the best. 


150 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

I have here three fishes exactly like these in 
appearance, dut they are not fresh, and I would 
not sell them for your master/' 

Did I say they were for my master’s dinner ?” 
said Yussuf slily. They are but for the ser- 
vants, and the fish which are not fresh will do 
Name your price.” 

Five pieces of silver.” 

I will take them,” was Yussufs answer. 

Five silver pieces is enough for an honest 
servant to allow his most excellent master to 
spend on the lazy rascals of the household who 
are not faithful.” 

When he brought the fish home, his master 
said they were the ones that he saw, and he 
gave orders that they should be prepared for 
his meal at once. 

Yes, they are excellent fish,” said Yussuf. 

The rascal, Ali, wished me to pay twelve silver 
pieces, but I know their value, and I made him 
let me have them for ten. I saved you two 
silver pieces.” 

Splendid, splendid,” murmured his master. 

In a few minutes, however, Ali’s messenger 
brought a note which stated that Yussuf had 
bought the three fishes for five silver pieces. 
His master flew into a rage, and would immedi- 
ately have whipped and dismissed Yussuf, but 


YUSSUFS THREE PUNISHMENTS 151 

his friend, who was with him, told him not to be 
so hasty. 

You must teach him a lesson once and for 
all,'* and he unfolded a plan which made them 
both laugh very heartily. 

Yussuf soon brought the cooked fish on a 
dish and set it before his master. 

Now that they are cooked," said the latter, 
they do not seem to be fresh. I have no desire 
to be made iU." 

They are quite fresh I assure you on my 
honour as a faithful and honest servant," replied 
Yussuf. 

Your honour, you thief ! " cried his master, 
in a rage. ''Now have I found you out. I have 
here a note from Ali telling me that he sold you 
the fish that was not fresh for five silver pieces." 
" He is a dishonest rascal," retorted Yussuf. 
" Have a care," said his master. " Speak 
the truth and I will forgive you. But if you 
persist in your lie, you shall be punished thrice. " 
" I never speak aught but the truth to thee, 
my master," replied Yussuf. 

" Enough," cried his master. I see that 
you are an adept at roguery. Choose your 
punishment, and choose carefully. Eat this 
wretched fish, or receive 100 lashes with the 
whip, or pay me 100 pieces of silver." 


152 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

A hundred pieces of silver ! cried Yussuf, 
holding up his hands in astonishment. I am 
but a servant, not a rich man. And lOO lashes 
with the whip would kill me.’^ 

'' Then you will eat the bad fish ? said his 
master. 

If, indeed, I must be punished.'’ 

Sit down and eat." 

Yussuf did so, but after he had eaten one 
fish, he said he could not eat the others. 

They will make me ill and I shall die," he 
said tearfully. 

“ Then will you have the hundred lashes ? " 
his master asked. 

'' I have not a hundred pieces of silver," said 
Yussuf, hanging his head. 

Another servant with a leathern whip was 
called and ordered to give Yussuf a hundred 
lashes. The poor fellow howled with terror 
and pain, and when fifty of the stripes had been 
given, he cried — 

Enough, enough. Stop, stop ! I will confess. 
I have been dishonest and faithless. I will 
pay the hundred pieces of silver." 

He brought them from the hiding-place where 
he had put them and handed them to his master. 

'' It is all the money I have stolen from you," 
he said. 


YUSSUF’S THREE PUNISHMENTS 153 


Let this be a warning to you to be honest 
in future/’ replied his master. You see 
now that dishonesty did not pay* I warned 
you that if you failed to speak the truth, 
you would be thrice punished. You have eaten 
of the bad fish, you have had half of the hundred 
lashes, and you have had to pay me all the 100 
silver pieces/- 


T 



* ■' *i.f j 








KING TONGUE 













King Tongue 


King of Persia was very ill, and all 
le remedies of his doctors had no 
feet on him whatever. At last he 
ew impatient with them and sum- 
moned all his physicians before him. 

Where is your boasted skill ? ” he asked. 
** For months now have I lain on this bed of 
sickness. I am weary with lying here, I feel 
like a helpless and wounded beast left alone in 
the fastness of the forest. Be heedful. If your 
medicines have no effect upon me within a week, 
you shall pay forfeit with your lives. Not one 
of you shall live.'' 

We have done our best," said one of the 
physicians, in a trembling voice, ** but your 
illness is so unusual." 



158 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


What matters that/' cried the King in a 
rage. '' Are ye not unusual men — physi- 
cians ? " 

Sire/' said one of the young physicians 
coming forward, 'tis my belief that your 
Majesty is not ill, but bewitched." 

Then must you remove the spell that is 
over me ; I command it," returned the King. 

Are not physicians magicians of the art of 
healing ? " 

'' Truly so, sire," answered the young phy- 
sician, '' and with your leave we wiU cure 
you. But it will not be easy." 

'' What mean you ? " questioned the King, in 
surprise. '' What difficulties can be placed in 
the way of the desires of the ruler of Persia ? " 
But listen, your Majesty," returned the 
physician. '' It is a fairy cure which I suggest 
for your strange illness. Your Majesty must 
drink the milk of a lioness — if it can be ob- 
tained." 

'' So that is the difficulty," said the King 
thoughtfully. Are there no brave men in 
Persia who will undertake this great task ? " 

I will undertake it, gracious Majesty," 
said a young officer of the guards standing by 
the Throne. 

** You are a brave man," said the King, 


KING TONGUE 


159 


glancing with admiration at the handsome 
and sturdy young officer who stood before him. 
** If successful you shall not go unrewarded. 
Should you fail, your courage shall not be for- 
gotten.” 

The officer knelt at the feet of the King, 
kissed the hem of his royal robe, and immedi- 
ately started on his dangerous mission. 

Be heedful,” whispered the young phy- 
sician to him. The fairies give not their 
remedies to human beings easily. They may 
lead you into greater danger than the lioness 
from whom you must obtain the milk. Above 
all, drink not of the milk yourself.” 

** Fear not for me,” laughed the young 
officer. The life of my King is at stake. 
Why should I think of dangers ? They are 
made but to be overcome by those who have 
daring.” 

Carefully selecting his weapons and his fol- 
lowers, the young officer started off, taking 
with him half a dozen sheep. All the people 
followed him to the gates of the city to wish him 
success. 

The young officer and his men plunged im- 
mediately into a dense forest infested with wild 
animals of all kinds. They had to proceed 
cautiously, and they were instructed to take 


i6o JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

the life of no beast. At night they built a big 
fire to keep away the animals, and half of the 
party kept watch, while the other half slept. 
Towards early morning, the roaring of a lion 
was heard and the officer was quickly awak- 
ened. Selecting half a dozen men and taking 
two sheep and a strong net, he crept slowly 
through the tangled undergrowth of the forest 
in the direction of the roaring. 

Soon they came to a clearing where a lion 
was struggling with an antelope. In a few 
minutes the struggle ceased and the lion com- 
menced to feed on his prey. 

He will take some food to his partner, the 
lioness,’' said the officer. ** Then we shall 
follow.” 

But the lion was evidently very hungry and 
devoured the whole of the antelope. Then 
he laid down to sleep. It was now nearly 
daylight, and the young officer was puzzled 
what to do. Suddenly a noise was heard, and 
a huge yellow body was seen creeping through 
the long jungle grasses. It was a lioness. 
She was followed by three tiny cubs. 

“ Quick, a sheep,” exclaimed the officer, and 
a poor lamb was tied to a long rope and pushed 
out of the grass into the clearing. It was some 
minutes before the lioness saw the sheep, and 


KING TONGUE 


i6i 


then with an angry roar she sprang upon it and 
killed it with a blow. Seizing it in her mouth, 
she was about to carry it off, but the officer, who 
had crept as near as he dared, suddenly flung 
his net with unerring aim. It caught the 
lioness's head and her two fore feet. Finding 
herself entangled, she turned towards the officer, 
but just then one of his men flung another net 
which caught her hind legs. The ropes were 
tightened quickly, and in a few moments the 
huge beast lay helpless on the ground. 

'' Two of you go and kill the lion while he 
sleeps," said the officer. '' One of you run 
back to the camp and bring the other men and 
all the ropes we have. Our work is not yet 
half done." 

Half a dozen more men soon appeared from 
the camp, and stealthily approaching the strug- 
gling lioness, they threw more nets round her. 
One of them then went quite near and deftly 
slipped a noose round her fore legs and another 
round her hind legs. The other ends of these 
ropes they tied to trees to make the lioness 
lie still. She was still dangerous, however, for 
she had bitten the net about her mouth and she 
snarled and roared fearfully. Taking the dead 
sheep, the officer stuck it on a spear and thrust 
it into the lioness's open mouth. He ordered 

L 


i 62 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

one of the men to hold it there, and then he 
proceeded to try and milk the animal. She still 
struggled, and half the milk was spilt, but he 
managed to fill four leathern bottles. 

Let us leave the lioness as she is,'’ he said. 

It would not be fair to kill her after she has 
been of such use to us. She will free herself in 
time. We shall not kill the cubs either. They 
seem frightened, poor things. Let us take one. 
The mother will be able to attend to the other 
two in a few hours." 

With the precious milk carefully guarded, 
the hunters began their return. But the men 
were tired, and when the sun rose and shone 
fiercely, they could scarcely walk. 

'' I, too, feel tired," said the officer, at last. 

Let us sleep for a while and then continue our 
journey when the sun is less strong in the after- 
noon." 

The men were very grateful for this, and in 
a few moments nearly all of them were fast 
asleep in the shade of a big banyan tree. Only 
the officer and one who was ordered to keep 
guard were awake. 

''It is strange that I cannot sleep, although 
I am so tired," mused the officer. " Perhaps I 
ought not to sleep, but ought to get back to the 
Palace as quickly as possible." 


KING TONGUE 163 

He looked at the leathern bottles containing 
the lioness’s milk. 

‘‘ I wonder what it tastes like/' he said, 
opening one. '' I suppose I ought to take 
every drop to the King. But I should just like 
to taste it. Let me see, did not the physician 
warn me that I must not taste it ? I wonder 
why. Perhaps it is for kings only. Perhaps it 
will make me a king. He said there was magic 
in it. I will taste it." 

He put the bottle to his lips and then quickly 
put it down. 

'' How strange," he said. If I did not know 
that this was the milk of a lioness, I should say 
it was like strong wine. It has made me feel 
quite drowsy." 

The next minute the officer’s head fell heavily 
to the ground. He was fast asleep. 

In his sleep, the officer had a strange dream. 
Every part of his body seemed to have got 
separated, and all the parts were quarrelling. 

“ We deserve all the credit," said the two 
legs, proudly standing up. '' We carried the 
officer to the place where the lioness was. With- 
out us he could have done nothing." 

'' Don’t talk nonsense," said the hands, 
shaking themselves menacingly. We threw 
the net that entangled the lioness. Then we 


i 64 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

milked the beast. It is we who deserve all the 
credit.'' 

** Both of you are wrong," said the eyes> 
blinking, as if they could not keep themselves 
awake. '' We saw the lioness, and we directed 
your footsteps, feet, and your movements, 
hands." 

The feet looked like getting ready to kick, 
one of the hands clenched itself into a fist, and 
it appeared as if a fight was inevitable. 

Listen to me," said the heart in a throbbing 
voice. '' You all claim too much. After all 
it was I who inspired the idea. Had it not 
been for me, the impulse would never have 
entered the officer's mind to undertake the 
task." 

'' Which reminds me," said the mind thought- 
fully, '' that I deserve the most credit. It is 
one thing to get hold of an impulse, but it is 
another to put it into force. I made up the 
officer's mind and made him suggest that he 
would get the milk. Is it not so ? " 

The legs, the hands, the eyes and the heart 
seemed abashed for a moment, and the tongue 
took advantage of the silence to burst out with 
the remark that he was chiefly responsible for 
the great enterprise. 

'' Rubbish ! " exclaimed the others angrily. 


KING TONGUE 


165 

You don’t know what you are talking about. 
You wag because you can’t help it. You stop 
in your little prison, the mouth, or we shall tell 
our friends the teeth to bite you.” 

The tongue thrust itself out very pointedly. 

Just you be careful,” it said. '' You are all 
very clever, and I am a prisoner, of course. 
But I warn you not to offend me. If I take my 
revenge, you will all get hurt. And then you 
will see that I am more important than all of 
you.” 

‘‘ Don’t talk so much,” retorted the others, 
but before another word could be said, the 
officer showed signs of waking, and the hands 
and feet and the other parts of the body took 
their proper places. 

What a funny dream ! ” exclaimed the 
officer, waking up. And oh ! how my head 
does ache. I ought not to have tasted that 
milk.” 

When he got up he found that he could not 
walk quite steadily and the journey to the city 
took longer than he expected. A great crowd 
awaited him at the gates. They cheered him, 
they carried him shoulder high, they decorated 
the city and in every way manifested their great 
joy. 

Our King will soon be well again thanks to 


i66 JEWISH FAIRY TALES 

the brave officer/’ they cried, and a public 
holiday was proclaimed. 

The officer was brought before the King, 
holding the leathern bottles containing the milk 
in his hand. 

Have you succeeded ? ” inquired the King 
anxiously. 

The officer seemed dazed and unsteady. 
He pressed his hands to his head ; then suddenly 
holding out the bottles he said, huskily — 

'' Here, your Majesty, I have brought — I 
have brought your Majesty the milk of the dog.” 

The dog ! What mean you, slave ? ” 
cried the King in a rage. 

‘‘ I don’t know,” replied the officer un- 
steadily. 

“ Cast the slave into a dungeon cell and bind 
him with strong chains,” cried the King. I 
will teach him to play such pranks with me.” 

His attendants obeyed, and the officer was 
put in irons and locked in a dark prison cell. 

‘‘ I will surely be put to death,” he said to 
himself, and at the thought of this, he trembled 
all over. 

Then it seemed to him that his hands and feet 
were talking again. 

'' We shall have to walk to the scaffold,” said 
the feet. 


KING TONGUE 


167 

“ And I shall have to stop beating/’ said the 
heart. 

The tongue, however, was not sorrowful at 
aU. 

'' Did I not warn you all ? ” it said. '' I 
told you to be careful. Will you not admit now 
that I have more power than all of you ? I am 
king of the body. Just see what I have done 
with one little word. 1 simply said ‘ dog ’ 
instead of ' lioness ’ and you are all impri- 
soned.” 

Suppose we acknowledge your power,” said 
the hands, '' will you help us out of this great 
trouble ? ” 

'' Yes, I will,” replied the tongue. At least, 
m try hard. But you must all keep quiet.” 

This they agreed to do, and when the prisoner 
was brought before the King for sentence, the 
tongue asked for permission to say a few words. 
The request was granted, and then the tongue 
displayed all its powers of eloquence. 

'' Oh, mighty King, live for ever,” it ex- 
claimed, and have mercy on me, thy slave 
who risked his life in thy service. Oh, mighty 
ruler of this great land, be thou truly great in 
all attributes of Majesty, and spare the life of 
him who thought not of his own in thy hour of 
need. I ask not for reward for my service ; I 


JEWISH FAIRY TALES 


i6S 

ask only that my life should be spared that I 
may devote it to thee.” 

'' I have heard you patiently,” returned the 
King sorrowfully, '' and it grieves me to have 
to ti.cer the dread sentence of death. But 
where has been your great service ? Did you 
not bring dog's milk and not the milk of a 
lioness ? ” 

It is not so, gracious Majesty,” the officer 
replied. The milk is truly that of a lioness. 
Those who were with me can vouchsafe for that. 
I tasted it. That was my sin. For that I have 
been punished. It was like strong wine. It 
made me giddy, and in my eagerness to tell 
thee, my tongue played me false. It was but a 
slip, sire ; the words ' dog ' and ' lioness ' 
are so much alike in Persian. Put the milk to 
the test. A dog, I swear, will not touch it, but 
will fly from its mere smell.” 

The King was thoughtful for a while. Then 
he ordered one of his dogs to be brought. A 
little of the milk was poured from one of the 
leathern bottles and put before the dog. No 
sooner did the animal put its nose to the saucer, 
however, than it gave a great growl of fear and 
fled quickly from the room. 

” It is not dog's milk,” said the physician 
who had suggested the milk of a lioness to the 


KING TONGUE 


169 

King. That is clear. But we can make an 
even better test. One of the men brought a 
lion cub back with him. Will your Majesty 
permit that this milk be offered to the cub ? '' 

The cub was brought, and it lapped the milk 
very greedily. 

‘'You are -pardoned,'' said the King to the 
officer, and for your bravery you shall be 
rewarded." 

The milk of the lioness soon cured the King 
of his illness, and afterwards whenever the 
young officer laid down to sleep, he always 
imagined that he heard the tongue say to the 
other parts of the body — 

You see, I am King. I have great powers 
both for good and evil." 

The officer guarded his tongue as well as his 
King after that, and he was promoted to be 
chief of the guard. In that high position he 
lived happily until the end of his days. 


^ T«nn»r. Th# WnrVs. Prom®. «n<! Londoa 


AN INTENSELY INTERESTING VOLUME. 


JEWISH LEGENDS 


OF THE 



By WOLFF PASCHELES and others. 
Selected and Translated by CLAUD FIELD 

Illustrated by 


MAY MULLINER 


Handsome IllustraUd Cover. 


Square Crown 800. 


This extremely interesting collection of Jewish Legends is 
mostly taken from a German work, “ Sippurim,** by Wolff 
Pascheles, a learned Jewish scholar of Prague. They are mostly 
concerned with the Jews in Spain and Bohemia, and throw a 
vivid light on Jewish Life in mediaeval Ghettos and the cruelty 
of their persecutors. 

Ct. The work contains fifteen illustrations from black and white 
drawings by Miss May Mulliner, whose charming children’s 
colour books, “ Stuart and Son ** and “ Adventures of Mont- 
gomery Stuart,** are well known. 


BLOCH PUBLISHING COMPANY 

NEW YORK 










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